BINALBAGAN Mayor Emmanuel Aranda said he is open to possible settlement with transport leader Dionisio Encinares, who filed serious physical injury and grave threat charges against him.
Aranda, in a press conference at Grand Regal Hotel in Bacolod City said if the complainant camp’s will withdraw the case, he might also not file counter charges.
“I am open to possible settlement, provided Encinares will personally decide on it without the intervention of other people backing him for political interests,” he said.
Encinares had earlier said that on October 11, he attended the meeting of the Local Poverty Reduction Action Team at the mayor’s office.
When Aranda saw him, the mayor asked him why he was there and told him that he doesn’t want to see his face then an argument ensued between them.
Encinares added that Aranda stood from his chair then punched him three times on the face, which caused his eyes to swell.
The mayor confirmed that the incident took place, admitting that he approached Encinares to ask about his Facebook post, but the latter was so arrogant causing him to hit him.
Atty. Bartolome Malde Jr., legal counsel of Aranda, said they are already preparing direct assault, libel, and grave threat cases against Encinares.
“We can file these cases as soon as possible,” Malde said.
During the press conference, the mayor’s camp presented to the media some of the printed copies of Encinares’ social media posts which Aranda claimed as defamatory.
It includes calling the mayor stupid and better for him to die, which Encinares had considered as only a form of criticizing the town leadership on transport-related issues.
“I will not use my hand without any reason at all,” Aranda reiterated.
Moreover, the mayor also scored the show of support to Encinares of some officials of progressive group Akbayan-Binalabagan Section, calling it politically motivated.
“They are just dragging other members of the group for their political and personal interests,” Aranda added.
