SENATE President Franklin Drilon said Sunday that he is mulling the filing of perjury cases against former Iloilo representative Augusto Syjuco Jr. for linking him to alleged poll cheating in Iloilo last year.
“I have to protect my rights. I want to protect my name. I have nothing else to leave behind as legacy except my reputation,” Drilon said.
Drilon said he expects Syjuco, who stood by his allegations of electoral fraud, to continue in his efforts to besmirch him.
Syjuco alleged that Drilon, along with several others including Iloilo Representative Arcadio Gorriceta and Iloilo Governor Arthur Defensor, committed vote-buying through several means to secure Gorriceta’s victory in the second district.
Syjuco lost to Gorriceta in the 2013 midterm elections by 20,906 votes.
In a seven-page decision, the Commission on Elections (Comelec) upheld the findings and recommendations of the Office of the Regional Election Director of Iloilo, which earlier decided that Syjuco’s complaint is unsupported by evidence that would substantiate his allegations.
“This is a clear proof that Mr. Syjuco would do everything to put my name in a bad light. He has fabricated lies and baseless accusations against me and he will continue to do so just to satisfy his selfish motives of destroying my reputation and credibility as a public servant,” said Drilon.
He also thanked the Comelec for a speedy resolution of the case, "not only to clear our names but more importantly, to uphold the votes and the will of the people of Iloilo.”
“The decision of the Comelec only validates the fact that all the allegations Syjuco hurled against me were nothing but mere lies and fabrications,” said Drilon.
However, Syjuco said the Comelec decision does not mean no cheating took place.
“He (Drilon) has no reputation to protect. He is involved in electoral cheating through vote-buying,” the former lawmaker said in a phone interview.
Syjuco has filed approximately a dozen of cases against Drilon before the Office of the Ombudsman, including graft and plunder in connection with the construction of the Iloilo Convention Center.
Syjuco, who is out on bail, is facing trial at the Sandiganbayan for P60-million worth of irregularities over the disbursement of funds for the Ladderized Education Program of the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority. (Camille P.Balagtas/Virgil Lopez/Sunnex)