Pasay barangay chiefs air support for Calixto

MANILA, Philippines - Pasay City barangay chiefs signed a manifesto of support for Mayor Antonio Calixto, who is facing a plunder charge before the Office of the Ombudsman, officials said yesterday.

Calixto, former mayor Wenceslao Trinidad and several city officials were charged for entering into allegedly anomalous garbage disposal contracts. The deals were forged when Calixto was vice mayor.

The 165 village chiefs, led by Caloy Lipnica of Barangay 7 and Julie Gonzales of Barangay 173, said the allegations are lies “by persons who cannot accept their defeat.” There are 201 barangays in the city.

In the manifesto, the village leaders said Calixto was able to implement programs benefiting the city’s poor residents. They also called for a stop to politicking, which they said will void the gains made by the Calixto administration.