P’sinan mayor facing rape raps gets support from pals

CALASIAO, Pangasinan — Pangasinan mayors have thrown their support behind a colleague who, along with six policemen, has been accused of sexually abusing a guest relations officer (GRO).

After electing their new set of officers last Thursday, members of the Pangasinan Mayors’ League (PML) passed a resolution expressing their "full support" for and "confidence" in 74-year-old Mayor Gregorio Tabayoyong of Laoac town.

The mayors, in their resolution, said the rape case against Tabayoyong was "just a form of harassment."

San Fabian Mayor Mojamito Libunao moved for the approval of the resolution by 35 of Pangasinan’s 44 municipal mayors who were present in Thursday’s gathering.

"This is the time we all have to show our support for him. He is being harassed and this is just politically motivated," said Malasiqui Mayor Alfonso Soriano, who was re-elected PML executive vice president,

In a complaint filed with the Office of the Ombudsman, Tabayoyong and the six policemen were accused of sexually abusing the GRO at the second floor of the municipal police station.

It was alleged that the GRO was a "gift" of the Laoac police chief to Tabayoyong during his recent birthday celebration.

"No matter who’s our enemy, let’s take the cudgels for a colleague. Why, we’re not doing harm. We are good people. Why should we allow our name to be destroyed?" San Manuel Mayor Salvador Perez said.

Burgos Mayor Domingo Doctor suggested that the league hire its own legal counsel to defend mayors who may find themselves embroiled in legal controversies.

Bayambang Mayor Leocadio de Vera Jr. said, "We cannot deny that we are easy targets of political harassment. Let’s show that we in the league are united."

Tabayoyong thanked his colleagues for their support, saying the charges have hurt his family so much.