Acosta stands by claims

CHARGES against former Baguio City Representative Bernardo Vergara and his assistant Ferdie Balanag remain unless the Commission on Elections (Comelec) rules they are innocent.

Worthy Acosta, former Margarita "Tingting" Cojuangco's assistant for a year who came out with a controversial issue of alleged ballot tampering in Baguio City during the 2013 elections, maintains his claims are true.

Reacting on the recent inspection of a Comelec panel last May 28 and on statements given by the party of Vergara and Balanag, Acosta told Sun.Star Baguio the opening of ballot boxes has already cleared the duo.

"What they are claiming is that the ballots are not tampered. Talagang yung loob is not tampered kasi hindi ko naman kinalikot yung loob. Ang tampered are the ballots I got," he said.

"Sa dulo, Comelec naman ang magde-decide diyan," he added stressing the Law Department of the commission is yet to come up with a ruling.

While still waiting for a resolution from the Comelec, Acosta is standing by all the things he put in his affidavit, which mentioned some personalities in Baguio.

His affidavit dated March 6, 2015 states he was instructed some time June 30, 2013 by Cojuangco to retrieve ballots from Baguio City.

Waiting a day or two, Acosta came here to pursue initial plans.

Acosta said in his affidavit he met with Vergara at a coffee shop along Session Road who was then accompanied by Balanag.

Later, Acosta and Balanag went to the warehouse in front of the Motorpool of City Engineering Office where the ballots were said to be stored.

The following day of their visit, Acosta and Balanag allegedly broke into the warehouse and opened a random ballot box where Acosta got some ballots.

Earlier, lawyer Abraham Espejo who represents Vergara and Balanag told media they may file perjury against Acosta for marring the names and reputations of his clients.

"Kung gusto nilang mag-file ng perjury case, wala tayong magagawa, right nila yan," he responded.

But he added he is also contemplating on taking legal actions against them for their misleading and personally-attacking statements.

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