CEBU, Philippines - Toledo City Mayor John Henry “Sonny” Osmeña is planning to file charges against two officials of the Commission on Elections, including regional director Jose Nick Mendros for alleged partiality.
Osmeña said he will start meeting his lawyers tomorrow to discuss the filing of cases against Mendros and election officer Michael Angelo Sarno.
“On Monday I will talk to the lawyers,” he said.
The mayor did not like Mendros’ recommending for the relief of Toledo City Police Station chief Superintendent Samuel Mina after the incident where Sarno was ganged up by Osmeña’s supporters before the election because he was caught sneaking into the Comelec office at night despite his having been reassigned to Cebu City South District.
Sarno was on his way to Negros Oriental to attend refresher training for Random Manual Audit Team and Board of Election Inspectors but decided to drop by the Comelec office in Toledo City to get some of his personal belongings that were left there.
Osmeña’s supporters, however, were suspecting that Sarno brought with him sensitive documents, prompting them to prevent the official from leaving. As a result, Sarno was not able to leave for Negros Oriental.
Mina allegedly tried to pacify the angry supporters of Osmeña but was not able to calm down the people until they were allowed to see for themselves the documents brought by Sarno.
Osmeña said Mendros blamed Mina allegedly failing to assist Sarno and recommended for the police official’s relief. According to the mayor, Mendros should have investigated Sarno instead.
Osmeña said he and his allies raised the question as to what Sarno was doing inside the Comelec office at night.
“We raised the question, but instead of asking Sarno to explain, the regional director of the Comelec filed a case against the chief of police of Toledo,” he said.
Osmeña, however, won in his re-election bid but one of his candidates for councilor has filed an election protest before the Comelec in Manila against three winning candidates for alleged fraud.
Risa Rafols named councilors-elect Ian Zambo, Arlene Zambo, and Louie Nicholas Espinosa as respondents. (FREEMAN)