Tom’s camp denies taking missing seal

CEBU, Philippines — The camp of former Cebu City mayor Tomas Osmeña has denied having a hand in the disappearance of the official seal of the city.

Lawyer Amando Virgil Ligutan, legal counsel of Osmeña, yesterday said the seal was even used during the inauguration of new Mayor Edgardo Labella last June 30.

The mayor’s office was ordered stripped bare by Osmeña that night after. The seal went missing the following day.

Ligutan, however, said his client did not take the city symbol. In fact, he presented a picture of a logbook entry dated June 25, 2019 and a picture of Labella during his oathtaking where the mayor’s seal was used.

“Per allegation of the complainant himself, he said the seal was lost. It is clear it was under oath when he alleged. Fortunately, for the public, we have the logbook entry dated June 25, 2019 saying that Engr. Mejelito Cajes himself was the one who pulled out the official seal from the mayor’s office,” Ligutan said.

Ligutan said that based on the complaint, Cajes allegedly mentioned that he thought that it was Osmeña who took the official seal.

However, Ligutan said it was, in fact, Cajes who took it.

“So in short klaro nga naay namakak. Namakak si Cajes under oath,” he said.

He added: “Ang seal nga gipangita ni Labella, ang seal nga giingon ni Cajes nga nawala was the same seal nga gigamit mismo ni Mayor Labella when he took his oath.”

Thus, the camp of Osmeña is giving Cajes one day to rectify the “deliberate imputation that he made against Osmeña and respondents” or else it will file criminal complaints for perjury and qualified theft and administrative complaints against him.

But Lawyer Rey Gealon of the Cebu City Legal Office said Cajes was telling the truth.

“I believe complainant Engr. Cajes is without fear in the face of threat of perjury for he is merely telling the truth based on his personal knowledge and authentic record,” he said.

The alleged entry in the logbook with regard to the lost official seal was neither authenticated nor duly executed, Gealon said.

“Well, that is surely a weak defense which the ombudsman may have difficulty in believing. But hey, can they show us logbook entry for the stolen toilet, lavatory, tiles, wall, wiring and plumbing as well,” he said.

Cajes of the city’s Building Maintenance Services has sued Osmeña and 44 others before the Ombudsman for alleged violation of Anti-graft and Corrupt Practices Act, theft, malicious mischief, grave misconduct, grave neglect of duty, conduct unbecoming of a public official and conduct prejudicial to the best interest of the service for allegedly demolishing the office of the mayor.

Respondents allegedly removed the ceiling installations, cables and wires, tiles, floor and walls, pipes, toilet, lavatory, faucet, the mayor’s seal and other fixtures attached to the immovable property owned by the city government.

Cajes said this allegedly caused damage to the city amounting to P857,713.14. — JMD (FREEMAN)