Charges vs. mayor not politically-motivated

CITY OF SAN FERNANDO -- Former Sto. Tomas municipal administrator Rodelio Garcia clarified on Friday that the charge of malversation and other cases he filed before the Office of the Ombudsman against Mayor Joselito Naguit and two other officials in his administration “is not politically-motivated nor a form of political harassment.”

During a press conference in a restaurant in this city, Garcia said “no other politician or Sto. Tomas official was behind” his appearance and accusations.

“I filed the charges and publicly appeared in my personal capacity with no one behind me. It is for the cause of the people of Sto. Tomas and is not politically-motivated as Mayor Naguit says. Dapat lamang malaman ng taong bayan na marami ngang ginagawang maganda si mayor pero marami rin ang hindi maganda at ang mga ito ay dapat maisiwalat,” Garcia said.

He added that he had “not received any invitation” from the other camp contrary to rumors that he would be included in the line-up of the other party in 2013.

“Wala pa. There are no invitations for me to run for a post in 2013 except for a phone call one time from vice Mayor Ninang Ronquillo asking me to explain why may ganito ngang mga kaso ako laban kay Mayor Naguit,” added Garcia, categorically stating he was “not interested in politics.”

However, Naguit stood by his ground and reiterated that Garcia’s accusations are being prompted by his political detractors.

“How can it not be politically motivated? Kinupkup na siya ng mga Ronquillo at doon siya nakatira sa bahay nila sa Quezon City. Even the car he is driving and using now is from them. There is absolutely no truth at all that his actions are not politically motivated or prompted by someone behind him,” Naguit said.

The mayor said that in due time, he and his legal counsel will answer point by point Garcia’s allegations in the name of truth and transparency.