Councilor pursues case vs city exec

A PROSECUTOR’S recent dismissal of corruption of public official charges against City Tourism Officer Benedicto Alhambra will not stop as Councilor Edison Bilog is appealing the case to higher authorities.

Bilog, in an interview Monday, said he will file a motion for reconsideration before the Department of Justice (DOJ) hoping to get a favorable decision on his case against Alhambra.

The case stemmed from a City Council inquiry on the Athletic Bowl Terms of Reference, which divulged an alleged attempted bribe that Bilog claimed was committed by Alhambra.

Bilog claimed assistant prosecutor Margarita De Guzman-Manalo, who dismissed his case, only considered his statements but have not considered the text messages allegedly sent by Alhambra after they met in the Baguio Convention Center.

The councilor identified Alhambra as the city official together with proponents of the Athletic Bowl development who tried to meet with him to discuss their plans for the sports facility.

He also added in his affidavit submitted to the prosecutor’s office that Alhambra tried to convince him to approve the Athletic Bowl Terms of Reference in exchange for something.

This was also the reason why the prosecutor dismissed the charges against Alhambra as the resolution, issued last November 8, said the councilor lacked evidence to link the tourism officer with the case of corruption of public official.

Bilog, however, is standing by his charges against the tourism officer. He is now also asking for prosecutor Manalo to inhibit herself from the case.

Meanwhile, on the administrative case filed against Alhambra before the Civil Service Commission, the councilor said he is waiting for the next hearing as the previous notice of hearing did not arrive to his address on time.

He is optimistic the case filed before the CSC will be in his favor as they are only looking at the preponderance of evidence to grant his prayer to dismiss Alhambra.