Pangasinan mayor faces raps

URBIZTONDO, Pangasinan, Philippines – The mayor of this town and and three others were charged with attempted murder and grave threats by a municipal employee.

Market guard Bernabe Samson, 62, said Urbiztondo Mayor Martin Raul Sison II beat and threatened to kill him on April 7. 

Cesar Tinyente, Urbano de Vera and Gilbert Aviles were also named respondents in the case.

Samson said Sison is suspecting him of supporting the candidacy of his opponent, Mirla Balolong, wife of slain Mayor Ernesto Balolong Jr., and former congressman Mark Cojuangco, who is running for governor.

When asked for comment, Sison’s father, provincial board member Raul Sison, said his son would also file charges against Samson.