“ALLEGATIONS are mere allegations. They will have to prove that through legitimate documents.”
This was the answer of Vice Mayor Leonora Wong when sought for comment over the accusations hurled at her by the camp of Mayor Abundio “Jun” Punsalan, Jr.
Although Wong said she was not able to watch the presentation as she relinquished her post and went to her office prior to Loreto Santos’ presentation, she told media that she is ready to answer Punsalan’s accusations in the proper venue, should there be a legitimate case filed against her.
“I will be addressing whatever they are accusing me in the proper venue. Whatever they presented are just allegations and not evidence,” she said.
Wong told Punsalan’s camp to bring the matter to the venue, instead of using the Sangguniang Bayan (SB) and the media for their allegations.
“You are a mayor, act like a mayor,” she told Punsalan.
“Instead of using the flag ceremony to undermine me, and invite the people to watch whatever show you directed to discredit me, why not use it to discuss your administration’s plan to serve the public for the week?” she said.
Wong was referring to the invitation of Punsalan to local government employees to watch the next day’s SB session, where the “San Simon eruption” or the expose of her alleged corruption will transpire.
Relinquishing her post
Wong also explained her decision to temporarily relinquish her post and Santos’ presentation of her alleged corruption during the SB session.
Wong said she was aware that the presentation was made to discredit and undermine her and her administration.
“I relinquished my post because it is not the right forum to tackle that. Who are they to crucify me?” she said.
She added that Santos is not authorized to represent the Office of the Mayor and Punsalan himself as he is allegedly not connected or employed with the local government.
She also noted that the presentation of Santos was “vaguely explained” at the day’s agenda of the SB session.
“It was only indicated in the calendar of business that he will appear to represent the Office of the Mayor. My question is ... “for what? Besides, who is Mr. Loreto Santos? He is not employed in the local government and he claims to not receive a single cent from the local government so what authority does he have to represent the Office of the Mayor?” Wong asked.
When asked for his official designation, Santos said he is Punsalan’s chief of staff, but confirmed that he does not receive anything from the local government.
Wong urged Punsalan’s camp to prove their allegations in court, instead of using the local government’s resources to discredit her.