OSMEÑA ORDERED TO ANSWER COMPLAINTS FILED BY COUNCILOR ALCOVER

Complaints filed by City Councilor Pastor Alcover over mayor’s giving of cash rewards to police officers who kill drug suspects

Cebu City Attorney Joseph Bernaldez said they filed a motion for more time to submit Mayor Tomas Osmeña’s answer to the complaints filed by Councilor Pastor Alcover Jr. against the latter. The Office of the President had ordered the mayor to forward his answer in 15 days last March 28. Bernaldez said they have to draft the mayor’s answer with those of other complaints filed against him. Alcover had accused Osmeña of violating the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act, the Revised Penal Code, the Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees and the Flag and Heraldic Code of the Philippines.

The Office of the President has directed Cebu City Tomas Osmeña to submit his answer to the string of complaints filed by Councilor Pastor Alcover Jr. against him.

In an order received by the City Legal Office last March 28, Ryan Alvin Acosta, acting deputy executive secretary for legal affairs of Malacañang, ordered Osmeña to forward his verified answer in 15 days.

However, City Attorney Joseph Bernaldez said they filed a motion for extension of time to answer since they have to draft the answer of the mayor with those of the other complaints filed against him.

“We asked for an addition- al 15 days before we can submit the verified answer of the mayor because we have to work on the other complaints also. But definitely, we will submit the mayor’s answer,” Bernaldez said.

Alcover, a first-term councilor, accused the mayor of violating the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act, the Revised Penal Code, the Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees, and Republic Act 8491 or the Flag Heraldic Code of the Philippines.

The complaint came after Osmeña offered a cash reward last year to police officers who killed anyone suspected of being involved in the illegal drugs trade, which Alcover said is a violation of Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act.

Alcover also questioned Osmeña’s appointment of his wife, Councilor Margarita “Margot” Osmeña, as a deputy mayor for budget and finance because it violated the law on nepotism.

Alcover also questioned the mayor’s order to hold only one flag ceremony every month, saying it violated the Flag and Heraldic Code of the Philippines/