La Union candidate arrested for issuing bounced checks

SAN FERNANDO CITY, La Union: A congressional candidate of La Union’s First District in the May 2016 elections was arrested on Thursday for issuing bouncing checks for materials bought at a hardware store.

Justo Tito Orros 3rd, 50, was arrested in a joint operation of the National Bureau of Investigations in Ilocos region and the San Fernando City Police by virtue of a Warrant issued by Judge Eugenio Dacumos of Municipal Trial Court Branch 1 for violation of Batas Pambansa 22 or The Anti-Bouncing Check Law.

Police Supt. Julius Suriben, city chief of police, said they kept Orros at the City Jail after he was brought before the court that recommended him to pay a bail bond of P34, 000. But he failed to post bail for his temporary liberty.

Orros filed his certificate of candidacy at the Commission on Elections last week to run against his uncle, San Fernando City Mayor Pablo Ortega and cousin, Manuel Ortega Jr.

Orros declined to comment on the case filed against him.

Based on police information, Orros purchased construction materials on August 1996 and issued checks in the amount of P102,000 to Arly Trading owner Lily Tan. However, it was found out that his account did not have sufficient funds.

Judy Dinla, a Commission on Elec- tions officer in San Fernando, said that the arrest of would not affect his candidacy according to their rules. Based on the law, the offense is punishable by imprisonment of not less than 30 days but not more than one year or by a fine of not less than but not more than double the amount of the check but not exceeding P200,000, or both fine, and imprisonment at the discretion of the court