By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga

The head of the Bacolod City Legal Office (CLO) faces a disbarment complaint filed by two individuals who claim to have been illegally detained.

According to the joint complaint-affidavit filed by Perfecto Seneres and Mark Anthony Diaz, last September, they visited the Bacolod City Government Center to furnish a copy of separate complaint filed before the Office of the President pertaining to the alleged non-payment of P3.5 million by the city government to Penjan Builders and Supply.

The two were then reportedly arrested by three individuals claiming to be members of the Public Order and Safety Office, which is under CLO head, Atty. Joselito Bayatan.

In addition, the two claimed they were brought before Executive Assistant Sammy Montoyo before being handed over to Police Station 4 (PS4).

While Seneres and Diaz were in custody, Bayatan, Montoyo, and Marlon Solidum, who is currently running for seat on the Bacolod City Sangguniang Panlungsod under Bacolod City Mayor Evelio Leonardia’s Grupo Progreso ticket, visited the station and ordered police to detain the two for the crime of libel.

Seneres and Diaz claimed they were detained for eight days without any charges filed in court.

The two were eventually released on September 12 after the City Prosecutor’s Office dismissed the libel charges on lack of probable cause.

The most recent complaint was filed before the Integrated Bar of the Philippines and signed by the complainants earlier this month.

The said affidavit was also signed by Senior Assistant City Prosecutor Lady Liza Rodrigazo-Placido.

Last September, Bayatan earlier responded to the  illegal detention charges, saying, the case will offer an opportunity to provide “more clarificatory facts” to affirm the libel charges.

“Whatever they will throw me is very much welcome,” he insisted. “Everything was done in order and was legal.”

“I do not fear everything,” the city official added./DGB, WDJ