Tacurong execs in poll fraud case post bail

COTABATO CITY — Fifteen officials in Tacurong City voluntarily gave themselves up to the police after a local court issued a warrant for their arrest for alleged vote-rigging during the 2004 synchronized local and national elections.

The Mindanao Cross, a weekly Catholic newspaper here, reported yesterday that the 15 respondents, four of them ranking Tacurong officials, turned themselves in and posted bail after learning that Judge Melanio Guerrero of the 12th Regional Trial Court had ordered their arrest.

Guerrero issued the warrant in connection with the case filed by former Tacurong vice mayor Jonard Lagon, who accused the 15 respondents, 11 of them incumbent barangay officials, of cheating during the 2004 polls.

Among those charged, according to Mindanao Cross, were city treasurer Doris Lapus, city budget chief Nestor Momananap, city accountant Elma Bidez, and city social welfare officer Eufemia Robles. — John Unson