Moreno says he won’t gloat but utters ‘mawo’ anyway

By NITZ ARANCON
Correspondent .

MAYOR Oscar Moreno yesterday said he won’t gloat over the conviction of ex-councilor President Elipe, one of his staunchest political enemies, by the anti-graft court — but he uttered the word “mawo” anyway.

Moreno said, “Ako dili sab kon  mo-ingon nga mawo. Dili sab, pero unsa-on ta man ma-o may bala-od?”

“Mawo” is loosely translated as “serves him right.”

Moreno’s pronouncements came after the Sandiganbayan released its decision on two criminal cases against Elipe and his sister Pristine Quizon. The siblings were convicted for graft and falsification of public documents, sentenced to a maximum  of 18 years of imprisonment, disqualified from holding public office for life, and slapped with a P5-thousand fine.

The mayor said he was surprised to learn about the Sandiganbayan decision to convict Elipe and his sister.

But Moreno, a lawyer by profession, said there were still plenty of legal remedies for Elipe, one of which is for the ex-councilor to assail the Sandiganbayan decision before the Court of Appeals. He said the Elipe siblings could also opt to bring the case to the Supreme Court in an effort to convince the high tribunal to reverse the Sandiganbayan ruling.

Moreno said Elipe’s conviction serves as a lesson for government officials and employees.

“Lesson No. 1, public funds are involved. Bisan gamay ra nga kantidad pero indicative man pud na of the system ba,” he said.