ALOGUINSAN Mayor Caesar Augustos “Chonse” Moreno yesterday said he has lost contact with his wife, former mayor Cynthia Moreno, who went into hiding after the Sandiganbayan ordered her arrest and that of her seven co-accused.

The others who are also allegedly in hiding are Municipal Budget Officer Nonela villegas, Municipal Agricultural Officer Marilyn Flordeliza, Municipal Asessor John Lim, Municipal Engineer Orven Nengasca, Municipal Civil Registrar Pepito Manguilimotan and utility workers Gertrudes Ababon and Emilia Luz Celis.

The Sandiganbayan First Division has ordered their arrest last Oct. 27, 2016 yet so they can serve their sentence.

They were convicted for violating Republic Act (RA) 3019 and RA 6713 or the Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees in procuring aluminum composite panels without public bidding.

Mayor Moreno said he is confident Cynthia will come out and surrender.

“I think she needed time to adjust before she will come out. I believe she will come out soon,” Moreno said.

Moreno also said that he also lost contact with the seven co-accused of Cynthia for one week now.

“I think they also need time to adjust,” Moreno added.

On the other hand, Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) 7 Director Rene Burdeos said they have no more mandate to serve the warrant of arrest against Cynthia Moreno because she is no longer a local government official.

“That is already a police matter,” Burdeos said.