Arrest warrant served vs newspaper editor

ILOILO CITY, Philippines  — Members of Pavia Police Station served a warrant of arrest against Manuel Mejorada, editor of a local daily here, due to a perjury charge filed by Mayor Jed Patrick Mabilog of this city.

Mejorada was taken into police custody yesterday morning from his house in Deca Homes Subdivision, Brgy. Pandac, Pavia, Iloilo, but was released shortly after posting a bail bond.

On April 2012, Mejorada ran a lengthy report on Mabilog’s amassing of unexplained wealth. A graft case was consequently filed before the Office of the Ombudsman (Visayas).

In response, the mayor filed a perjury case against the newspaper editor saying that Mejorada did not take into account his liabilities on the page 2 of his statement of assets, liabilities, and net worth (SALN).

Mejorada said his arrest could not affect his resolve to fight corruption on the government. Instead, “it will make me even more determined to go on with this battle,” he added.

Over his Facebook account, Mejorada revealed that Mabilog had deigned to get him jailed over the weekend.

“However, the Pavia Police refused to be used as a tool for political purposes. They knew that I am not a criminal; that I will not run away from Mabilog’s case; that I am a law abiding citizen, not a drug lord, not a gun-for-hire,” he added.

Further, Mejorada challenged Mabilog to explain to the people “why he wants somebody like me in jail ...”

The editor added: “Mabilog must be gnashing his teeth in anger. His plot to get me jailed was frustrated. I am sure he will assert his authority as chairman of the Regional Peace and Order Council to discipline the Pavia Police for refusing to obey his command.” (FREEMAN)