FOR allegedly meddling in the case the Cebu City Government filed against BDO Unibank and mall operator SM, Mayor Tomas Osmeña plans to file a disbarment case against Justice Secretary Vitaliano Aguirre II.
In his news conference yesterday, Osmeña said that Aguirre seems to be acting as their lawyer.
“I really think that this country will be better if he will be disbarred. He is creating a culture where he is forgiving for the rich. If you’re a drug lord, you’re very rich and then you’re forgiven. That’s what I see. Or when you’re influential,” the mayor said.
In his Department Order No. 227, dated April 6, 2017, Aguirre directed the Cebu City Prosecutor’s Office to inhibit and cease from conducting and resolving the preliminary investigation of the case that the City filed against BDO.
The move is also in response to the bank’s request. The order said the move is “(In) the interest of public service, pursuant to the provisions of existing laws and acting on the March 24, 2017 letter request of Atty. Alvin C. Go, SVP and Chief Legal Counsel, Banco de Oro.”
Aguirre also directed Prosecutor General Victor Sepulveda to designate a state prosecutor from the prosecution staff as the acting city prosecutor of Cebu City to resolve the case.
Last year, Osmeñas filed a case against BDO’s officers over one branch’s alleged under-declaration of gross annual revenue and falsification of gross sales in its business permit application for 2016.
Another branch of BDO was also sued by Osmeña over the same allegation.
In November 2016, a separate complaint was also filed against four SM officials over the alleged understatement of the size of SM Seaside City Cebu to reduce their tax obligations.
Osmeña said that City lawyers are studying the case and will file it at the appropriate time. (RVC)