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By Nitz Arancon

NEW  Wishing Star Corp. president Jacky Ching dared Councilor Adrian Barba over the weekend to sign a waiver in connection with controversial China Bank Current Account no. 2610679913.

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DEAL TURNED BAD. Mayor Vicente Emano puffs a cigarette as he watches Chinese-Filipino businessman Jacky Ching signing a document in his office in this 2011 photo. Two years later, Ching found himself becoming a whistleblower, linking the mayor and a councilor to alleged payoffs in connection to the soured Carmen market lease contract deal between city hall and New Wishing Star Corp..
DEAL TURNED BAD. Mayor Vicente Emano puffs a cigarette as he watches Chinese-Filipino businessman Jacky Ching signing a document in his office in this 2011 photo. Two years later, Ching found himself becoming a whistleblower, linking the mayor and a councilor to alleged payoffs in connection to the soured Carmen market lease contract deal between city hall and New Wishing Star Corp..

Ching issued the challenge following Barba’s strong denial that he owns the bank account which, according to the Chinese-Filipino businessman, was the repository of funds intended as “SOPs” given to secure New Wishing Star’s 2011 Carmen lease contract from city hall.

Ching challenged Barba to authorize China Bank to open the account or any account found to be under his name for public scrutiny.

Barba, in an earlier interview with this paper, said the bank account Ching referred to in his April 15 affidavit was not his. Neither does he have any other account with China Bank, according to Barba, an assertion described as a “big lie” by Ching.

Barba also strongly denied asking money in exchange for the 2011 Carmen market deal contrary to Ching’s allegation that the councilor told him to shell out money.

In his affidavit, Ching alleged that Barba told him to deposit money to the bank account on Mayor Vicente Emano’s instruction.

“Issue a waiver,” he dared Barba. “Barba should authorize China Bank to open the account or any account found to be under his name since he claims that he has never opened an account with that bank. Let’s see who’s lying.”

Ching said he would withdraw the cases he filed against city hall if after signing the waiver, Barba could prove that funds were not deposited to the bank account by him (Ching).

Ching has filed a breach of contract case against city hall after the local government terminated his 25-year lease contract for the second level and other portions of Carmen market last year. He also filed charges against Mayor Emano and other officials before Malacanang and the ombudsman, and threatened to file another in connection with the alleged payoffs.

But if the bank account is shown to be Barba’s, Ching said, the councilor should withdraw his bid for reelection.

Ching also issued the same challenge to Mayor Emano, saying the local chief executive should drop out from the mayoral race if he and Barba could prove that he lied about the China Bank account.

“It was Emano who instructed Barba to ask from me,” said Ching, repeating what he stated in the one-page April 15 sworn statement notarized by lawyer Mario Juni.

Former Taglimao barangay chairperson William Giualani, who confessed to bribing some city hall officials on behalf of New Wishing Star, said Barba should show proof to support his denial that the China Bank account does not belong to him.

 “Mangayo siya (Barba) ug certification sa bangko nga  walay iyang account kon tinood man iyang bakak,” said Giualani. “It’ a sin to tell a lie. Barba is a public servant and what he is doing is not good.”

Guialani said Barba could clear his name if he succeeds in securing a certificate from China Bank to support his denial.

He said he and Ching have been talking and the Chinese-Filipino businessman told him he would give Emano and Barba his P40-million investment on Carmen market if they can prove that he lied about the bank account.

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