Negros Occidental Gov. Joseph Marañon yesterday told warring Murcia officials, Mayor Esteban Coscolluela and Councilor Helen Clavesillas, not to drag the Capitol into their controversy.

Marañon's statement came after both officials filed their affidavits and counter-affidavits before the Sangguniang Panlalawigan where Coscolluela has filed an administrative case for conduct unbecoming of a public official against Clavesillas.

The government got involved in the issue when Coscolluela supposedly said that the Provincial Government of Negros Occidental is corrupt and that Clavesillas had relayed this to Board Member Miller Serondo to make sure it will reach Marañon.

Coscolluela had claimed later that Clavesillas had admitted fabricating the story about him saying that the provincial government is corrupt. In her affidavit, however, the councilor denied having admitted fabricating the story.

"If they have no evidence against the province, they should not drag it into the controversy," Marañon said yesterday.

In his letter to both Coscolluela and Clavesillas, the governor said, "Whatever internal political differences you may have, we would appreciate it if the Province will not be dragged in the controversy."

He said that the reports about it coming out in the newspapers, may create a wrong impression to the reading public who may not be aware of what is going on between the two officials.

Marañon further told the two officials that his office will appreciate it if the matter could be clarified publicly in order to rectify whatever damage the Province may have suffered by reason of the publicity surrounding the issues they have raised against each other.

"It is our hope that this issue will be resolved at the soonest possible time so that whatever damage done to the Province as of now can be rectified," he added.

Clavesillas, in her counter and accusation affidavit, had said that the administrative case Coscolluela filed against her is a retaliation suit meant to harass and immobilize her for supporting the group of market vendors who filed an administrative complaint against Coscolluela, also before the SP.

The charge is baseless and is politically-motivated to discredit me before the constituents of Murcia, she said, adding that Coscolluela had placed words in her mouth.*NLG

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