The Sandiganbayan Seventh Division in Quezon City recently ordered a hold departure order, which prevents individuals from leaving the country, against former Bacolod City Councilor and 2016 Liberal Party candidate for Bacolod Lone District representative Carl Lopez, in relation to his usurpation of authority case.

The order, which was forwarded to members of the media yesterday and signed by Sandiganbayan Seventh Division Chairperson Alexander Gesmundo, requires the Bureau of Immigration to include Lopez on a hold departure list.

However, Lopez revealed to Watchmen Daily Journal yesterday documents showing the Sandiganbayan granting him permission to travel 17 days prior to the hold departure order, wherein he traveled to Paris and Madrid on September 14 and October 1.

In addition, he also produced airline tickets bound for Dubai, leaving on January 25 and returning on January 30.

“I have been traveling monthly since August to Australia and have not changed my monthly travel itinerary until April of 2018,” he added.

Lopez was accused by former Bacolod City Mayor Monico Puentevella of unlawfully issuing truck ban exemptions to certain companies and individuals, which is a function of the Bacolod Traffic Authority Office (BTAO).

The former city councilor previously denied the accusations, claiming the letters he sent regarding the exemptions were “merely recommendations.”

The Office of the Ombudsman earlier dismissed Lopez from office, however, with his current separation from office, the penalty was converted into a fine equivalent to one year’s salary, which may be deducted from his retirement benefits./DGB, WDJ