Igbaras mayor fires back, sues accuser

By Florence F. Hibionada

It's payback time for Igbaras Mayor Jaime Esmeralda, who filed administrative charges against his accuser, Sanggunian Bayan member Vicente Escorpion.

Esmeralda and barangay chief Rodrigo Ecube accused Escorpion of dishonesty, misconduct, oppression and moral turpitude.

Earlier, Escorpion accused the two of involvement in a ghost project involving delivery of sand and gravel to Barangays Kinangdan-Malangan and Cale-Indaluyong. This case is now pending before the Ombudsman.

As to the one filed by Esmeralda and Ecube, the Sanggunian Panlalawigan will be hearing the case. In fact, the case has already been docketed as SP Administrative Case No. 2005-001.

The SP will convene as a quasi-judicial body in hearing the case.

SP presiding officer, Vice Governor Roberto Armada said that they will observe due process and that Escorpion will have a 15-day period within which to answer the charges.

After Escorpion has filed his answer, Esmeralda and Ecube will then be apprised respondent's counter-statements. In the meantime, the SP will evaluate the merits and demerits of the case.

“We will give both parties enough time to answer the charges and counter-charges,” Armada explained. “We will then act as the judge and jury in determining the merits of the case. For now we have sent the complaint to Councilor Escorpion and will await his reply within 15 days.”