FORMER City of Naga Mayor Valdemar Chiong denied allegations made by some of his critics that he harassed landslide victims, who participated in the P4.5-billion environmental suit against the city government and five others.
Chiong made the denial when he faced the evacuees, who are temporarily living at the Enan Chiong Activity Center (ECAC) earlier Thursday, November 8.
Chiong said that the allegation was made by a certain Kimberly Monterde. Monterde allegedly said that Chiong threatened landslide victims that he will hold the financial assistance that the city plans to provide them. Chiong said this is not true.
In a report, Monterde, who is working as a coordinator for the landslide victims participating in the environmental suit, was called by some of the complainants after they were allegedly threatened by the former mayor two weeks ago if they will not back out from the case.
But Chiong clarified that the City, led by his daughter and incumbent mayor Kristine Vanessa Chiong, has no plans of withholding the financial assistance for all the landslide victims, includingthose suing them.
"Nia ko run kay tungod anang ngil-ad nga panghitabo nga pasanginlan nga wala gyud ta mamuhat. Sukad sa akong 18 ka tuig nga mayor sa Naga, wala gyud ko nakapasakit ug bisag kinsa," Chiong said.
Chiong believes that Monterde is working to derail his candidacy for mayor in next year's elections.
He even disclosed that one of the complainants in the P4.5 billion suit against the City is a long-time critic of his.
Chiong is contemplating on filing charges against those accusing him of harassment.
Evacuees living at ECAC said they have not seen or heard the former mayor harassing anyone at the evacuation center.
Patricia Alforque, 61, said she has been living at the ECAC since Day 1 and she has not seen the former mayor visit in the last two weeks.
Alforque even challenged the mayor's critics to face them and clarify their allegations.
Norman Geraldes, another evacuee, also urged those making the allegations against the mayor to show proof.
"Sa ka-high tech rung mga panahona, maypang mupakita mo ug bisag cellphone video lang sa Facebook para lang pagpamatuod nga tinood inyong gisulti. Kay wala gyud mi kakita ni Mayor nga gibuhat sa inyong gipamasangil nila," Geraldes added. (JKV)