By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga

In light of the Office of the Ombudsman indicting incumbent Bacolod City Mayor Evelio Leonardia, along with two other city officials, on four counts of violating the anti-graft and corrupt practices act, the mayor’s legal counsel, City Legal Officer, Atty. Joselito Bayatan, said the case will not affect his reelection campaign.

He acknowledged the case will “take time” and reiterated their plans to file a motion for reconsideration. The city official added, former Bacolod City Councilor Jocelle Batapa-Sigue, who brought the issue to light earlier this week, is trying to “ruin the reputation of the incumbent mayor.”

Earlier, Batapa-Sigue said she acquired a copy of the Ombudsman’s decision late Wednesday night, noting, the case stems from the supposed purchase of P49 million worth of fuel wherein the city made advance payments despite not having any available fuel depots.

“What happened is, when the time comes that they have to get fuel, the city paid for the difference because the price of fuel increased and, therefore, the city paid for the additional [fees],” she explained.

She added, the city gave undue advantage to the fuel suppliers.

The other two respondents were identified as Eduardo Hulleza Ravena and Ricardo Dahildahil.

Meanwhile, additional charges of malversation of public funds against Leonardia, Ravena, and Dahildahil were earlier dismissed for lack of probable cause./DGB, WDJ