SAVE Bacolod Movement convenor Samuel Montoyo said Monday the Regional Trial Court (RTC) Branch 50 has set the arraignment of former executive assistant Rocky Anthony Puentevella on October 27.
The case was filed by former councilor Carlos Jose Lopez on the illegal operation of “ukay-ukay” (used clothing) market at the Bacolod Public Plaza in 2014.
Montoyo said Puentevella had earlier posted a bond of P30,000 for Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act and P20,000 for direct bribery.
He said the RTC Branch 50 had earlier issued an order to all officers of the law to arrest Puentevella who is charged for the above case and to present him to the court for proper disposition.
The criminal cases were recommended by the Office of the Ombudsman to be filed with the RTC after finding probable cause to indict Puentevella.
The Ombudsman had earlier dismissed the criminal charges filed by Lopez on October 2014 against former mayor Puentevella and former Kasadya Bacolod Foundation Inc. president Rhoderick Samonte.
The order signed by Kristine Suzanne Fineza, Graft Investigation and Prosecution Officer IV, and approved by Ombudsman Conchita Carpio Morales stated that there was no evidence submitted that would show that former mayor Puentevella benefitted from the payment made by the “ukay-ukay” vendors for them to be able to sell at the public plaza.
In his son’s case, it was shown that all elements of direct bribery are present. He was a public officer who received payment form the “ukay-ukay” vendors so that they may operate a market in the public plaza even if not authorized by the City Council, the order further stated.
The Ombudsman said that not only was Rocky Puentevella an executive assistant at the Office of the City Mayor, he is also the son of the (former) city mayor. Being the son and executive assistant of the mayor, it is not unusual that he is perceived to have the power or influence to grant permit.
As with Samonte, the use of receipts of Kasadya alone does not suffice to warrant his indictment for any of the offenses charged, the order added.
There was no evidence that would establish that he was aware and that he conspired with the younger Puentevella in consummating the questioned transactions.
The former mayor said his son is now busy running a hotel in Manila, adding that he is not interested in politics.
“Tell the public that your source (complainant) is a dismissed public official who is now being tried in the Sandiganbayan,” he added.