COUNCILOR Edgar Cabanlas yesterday risked catching the ire of regional Judge Anita Lucagbo when he attacked her––and her decision––in declaring him and other local officials guilty of deceiving the court in connection with a case that stemmed from the redevelopment of Cogon market.
Cabanlas, one of those who served as city hall’s lawyers in the case, said a personal grudge made Lucagbo decide against him and his clients.
"Dunay kami’y personal nga away sa piskal pa siya (We had a personal misunderstanding back when she was still a prosecutor)," said Cabanlas without elaborating.
He called Lucagbo’s order ‘‘unfair and biased" and added that the judge took matters personally.
This was not the first time Lucagbo ruled against him. He said the judge has not been fair in her decisions in many, if not all of the cases he handled in her courtroom.
"For a long time, all my cases were not given a single merit in that branch," Cabanlas said.
Cabanlas described Lucagbo’s recent decision as ‘‘unjust, cruel and unfair,’’ adding that the judge should have first decided on his group’s motion for reconsideration in connection with a case for the annulment of City Ordinance no. 8931-2003 before she cited them for indirect contempt.
"She has no respect for the members of the city council," said Cabanlas.
The Mindanao Gold Star Daily
Friday, September 01, 2006
Who will pay the fines?
LOCAL legislators met behind closed doors late Tuesday afternoon to discuss if the payment of fines imposed on them by Judge Anita Lucagbo would come from their own pockets or from city hall’s coffers, sources said.
Insiders said some councilors were insisting that it was city hall’s duty to pay because the case was a result of their official functions.
For indirect contempt, Mayor Vicente Emano, Spiers, councilors, contractor Yian Ping of UKC Builders and their lawyers, were fined. The fines range from P20 thousand to P30 thouand each.
The local legislators immediately met at the office of Vice Mayor Michelle Spiers right after the council session.
Councilor Maryanne Enteria said the officials failed to meet with Emano as scheduled because the mayor was resting.
Enteria said the officials cited for indirect contempt cannot do anything but pay the fine although an appeal would likely be made.
"Ingon ana man gyud na ang kaso. Kung pabayron mobayad kita," said Enteria, herself a lawyer.
Enteria said cut short the interview, saying she opted not to say more about the case. She said
she was leaving matters in the hands of Cabanlas and another lawyer, Damian Mart Maandig.
Councilor Juan Sia agreed with Enteria. He said Lucagbo’s order was ‘‘fair enough.’’
"We have to respect the court’s order," Sia said.
Other councilors like Edgar Cabanlas, Jose Benjamin Benaldo and Caesar Ian Acenas said they were willing to be sent to prison by Lucagbo.
"Willing kami nga magpa-priso kung iyang gi-order. Andam kami niana nga panghitabo," said Cabanlas.
Councilor Ian Mark Nacaya declined to comment. "I will reply at the proper time."
His father-in-law, Councilor Reynaldo Advincula, said local officials agreed to bring their case before the Court of Appeals.
Cabanlas said he and the other officials would file appeal their case before the appellate court next week.
"We’re still working on it," Cabanlas said.
The Mindanao Gold Star Daily
Insiders said some councilors were insisting that it was city hall’s duty to pay because the case was a result of their official functions.
For indirect contempt, Mayor Vicente Emano, Spiers, councilors, contractor Yian Ping of UKC Builders and their lawyers, were fined. The fines range from P20 thousand to P30 thouand each.
The local legislators immediately met at the office of Vice Mayor Michelle Spiers right after the council session.
Councilor Maryanne Enteria said the officials failed to meet with Emano as scheduled because the mayor was resting.
Enteria said the officials cited for indirect contempt cannot do anything but pay the fine although an appeal would likely be made.
"Ingon ana man gyud na ang kaso. Kung pabayron mobayad kita," said Enteria, herself a lawyer.
Enteria said cut short the interview, saying she opted not to say more about the case. She said
she was leaving matters in the hands of Cabanlas and another lawyer, Damian Mart Maandig.
Councilor Juan Sia agreed with Enteria. He said Lucagbo’s order was ‘‘fair enough.’’
"We have to respect the court’s order," Sia said.
Other councilors like Edgar Cabanlas, Jose Benjamin Benaldo and Caesar Ian Acenas said they were willing to be sent to prison by Lucagbo.
"Willing kami nga magpa-priso kung iyang gi-order. Andam kami niana nga panghitabo," said Cabanlas.
Councilor Ian Mark Nacaya declined to comment. "I will reply at the proper time."
His father-in-law, Councilor Reynaldo Advincula, said local officials agreed to bring their case before the Court of Appeals.
Cabanlas said he and the other officials would file appeal their case before the appellate court next week.
"We’re still working on it," Cabanlas said.
The Mindanao Gold Star Daily
Thursday, August 31, 2006
Photos courtesy of the Army's 4th Infantry Division
(Left photo) Recovered detonating wire and switch.
Personnel from Explosives, Ordnance & Demolition
(EOD) unit recovering the improvised landmines.
Talacogon, Agusan del Sur was wounded during an ambush
last 25 August 2006 at KM 5, Marbon, Talacogon, Agusan del Sur.
Email at: mike_banos_2000@yahoo.com, alternate email : mike_banos@walla.com
Email at: mike_banos_2000@yahoo.com, alternate email : mike_banos@walla.com
Saturday, August 26, 2006
Emano issues gag order
CAGAYAN de Oro Mayor Vicente Emano has issued an order that prevents city hall’s department heads or employees from attending official meetings intended for investigation without his go-ahead, shows a document uncovered by Councilor Zaldy Ocon.
The document, Memorandum no. 374-06, reads: "xxx any communication to summon any department head, chief of office or employee of the city government... to attend meetings shall be forwarded to the office of the city mayor for approval."
The memo also reads: "xxx any invitation for attendance to meetings or investigation must be forwarded to the office of the city mayor at least three days before the scheduled date...’’
Supposedly, the policy is aimed at giving Emano enought time ‘‘to act on the said invitation."
Emano issued the memorandum last Aug. 22 to ‘‘remind’’ the offices of the vice mayor and the city council not to send summons or invitations to department heads in regard to official matters, ‘‘except [to] the undersigned (Emano).’’
The Mindanao Gold Star Daily
The document, Memorandum no. 374-06, reads: "xxx any communication to summon any department head, chief of office or employee of the city government... to attend meetings shall be forwarded to the office of the city mayor for approval."
The memo also reads: "xxx any invitation for attendance to meetings or investigation must be forwarded to the office of the city mayor at least three days before the scheduled date...’’
Supposedly, the policy is aimed at giving Emano enought time ‘‘to act on the said invitation."
Emano issued the memorandum last Aug. 22 to ‘‘remind’’ the offices of the vice mayor and the city council not to send summons or invitations to department heads in regard to official matters, ‘‘except [to] the undersigned (Emano).’’
The Mindanao Gold Star Daily
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