DOJ trashes ‘suspend me’ case against Emano

Bu Ben Balce

THE Department of Justice (DOJ) has dismissed due technicalities a case against ex-mayor Vicente Emano in connection with the 2013 demonstrations outside city hall that resulted from claims that Malacanang would slap him with a suspension order.

Emano was charged with violation of a city ordinance that makes it illegal for anyone to spread false information that causes alarm and panic among residents.

The case was filed against Emano by councilors Roger Abaday, Teodulfo Lao, Zaldy Ocon and Enrico Salcedo who accused Emano of making up a story about a supposed plot to remove him from office a few months before the 2013 elections.

Also charged with violating the ordinance were Vice Mayor Caesar Ian Acenas, councilors Alexander Dacer, Nadya Elipe and her husband, the then councilors Emmanuel Abejuela, Ian Nacaya and Juan Sia, and lawyers Gil Banaag and Leon Gan who is now a councilor.

The complainants alleged that Emano violated Section 387 of the City Codified Ordinance that provides a punishment on anyone who would cause the dissemination of false information resulting in alarm and throw residents into panic.

As a result, the complainants said, people bought the imaginary story, and flocked outside city hall for days. They said the “suspend me” scenario was merely a political antic.

But a victorious Emano said the councilors who filed the case barked up the wrong tree. “Gibasura na pud ang kaso na ilang gi-file kanamo.”

Emano said one of the reasons the DOJ trashed the case was due to lack of jurisdiction.

Part of the ruling reads that since the charge “is only for the violation of a city ordinance which carries a penalty or fine and imprisonment of four months, the instant petition should have been lodged with the office of the Regional Prosecutor of Region 10” based on a July 2000 circular of the Department.