A businessman and landowner has filed a complaint against Pulupandan Mayor Luis Mondia for allegedly "uprooting and stealing" the steel tollgate used as a "stop signal" at an hacienda road at Sitio Bagua, Zone 4-A in Pulupandan.

The complaint was filed before the Pulupandan police station by Ernesto Esteban, 53, who said the stop signal was taken Friday night.

Diosdado Masio, 42, a tricycle driver and caretaker of Esteban, also alleged in a separate blotter that the group of the mayor that included Pakley, Kiko, Berto and Third Mondia, took the steel tollgate without his knowledge and turned it over to the police station using the dumptruck of the municipal government.

Mondia denied that he stole the tollgate, pointing out that if he did, why would he turn it over to the police station.

He said the hacienda road had been used by Pulupandan residents for about 40 years and that he had a verbal agreement with Esteban that the road would not be closed.

A certain Joel Yonque closed the road and in good faith he had the steel object in the area removed by a team accompanied by the police, the mayor said. Mondia alleged that Esteban had been pressured to file the complaint against him by businessman Magdaleno Peña who, in turn, denied pressuring Esteban, his cousin.

On the other hand, Peña said Mondia has no business removing anything from the private property of Esteban, who constructed the road.

Peña also said he had leased the property in question from Esteban so Mondia will have to deal with him on its use.

He said the road is still being used by residents but he can decide anytime whether he wants to close it or not.

Earlier, Peña also issued notices to 1,200 Pulupandan residents, including Pulupandan Vice Mayor Julia Fernandez-Seminio, to vacate property owned by his family, on which he said they are squatting.

Seminio called the move a "vote or bulldoze" strategy.

Peña and his family are believed to be planning to field candidates for the elections in Pulupandan in May.

Gov. Joseph Marañon said any landowner owner has the right to his property "but the timing is not proper because the elections are approaching and there is a pronounced intention to run for office."

He said Mondia met with him yesterday to ask for a new police chief for his town and he referred the matter to Senior Supt. Rosendo Franco, PNP provincial commander.

The COMELEC ban on the transfer of police personnel began Sunday.

Marañon said the request of Mondia will have to be referred by the police to the COMELEC.

Mondia said he is asking for a new police chief because the one assigned to his town has gone on study leave.

The Pulupandan police station is currently headed by a deputy, SPO2 Ernesto Eneserio Jr., Mondia said.*CPG

back to top