Complainant in plunder case vs. Leonardia withdraws
BACOLOD CITY – A principal complainant in the plunder case against Mayor Evelio Leonardia recently executed an affidavit of desistance withdrawing his complaint against the mayor with the Office of the Ombudsman.
Complainant Armando S. Colado of Barangay 26, Bacolod City, in his affidavit, said he was merely pressured into becoming one of the complainants in the plunder case after he was promised by the office of Congressman Monico Puentevella that they will help him regarding his retirement benefits.
The plunder case referred to the city government's gasoline and lubricants expenses.
"It awaken me when I heard the explanation of the people concerned and I conducted my own investigation and I found out that the practice in purchasing gasoline has been in existence since the time of previous administration handled by previous mayors," Collado stated in his affidavit.
He said that what triggered him to withdraw from the case is because he could not sleep and he is bothered by his conscience. "After a thorough soul-searching, I decided to desist from further prosecuting the case I filed and no longer interested in continuing to prosecute the case,” Collado said.