Former Rep. Carlos “Charlie” Cojuangco (Neg. Occ., 4th District) yesterday denied the allegations of a Belgian man about a traffic altercation  in Bacolod City Saturday.

Andrei Hertogh of Alselar, Belgium, told Police Station 8 investigator, PO2 Rolito Flores, that Cojuangco allegedly shoved him while they were arguing over damages to their vehicles near the Casino Filipino at the Goldenfields Commercial Complex in Bacolod, at about 5 p.m.

Hertogh, who resides at Purok Paraiso, Brgy. Taloc, Bago City, Negros Occidental, told the police that Cojuangco, who was driving a Toyota Hilux with plate No. FGB-443, allegedly bumped his Isuzu D-Max with plate No. FFN-672, when the former solon tried to overtake him.

The foreigner also claimed that Cojuangco hit his vehicle again “deliberately” as he was leaving, Flores said.

In a written statement, Conjuangco, said that what happened was an accident and that Hertogh’s claim that he damaged his vehicle on purpose is a “blatant lie.”

“What happened was an accident. I was overtaking him and he refused to give way. Half of my car had already turned and he did not want to give way. Proof of this is: the damage on his car is on the left front side; the damage on mine is on my right rear door. Those were the only damage there. His claim that I damaged his car on purpose is a blatant lie,” Cojuangco said.

He added that “nobody can distort the truth” because the incident happened in broad daylight, in full view of witnesses, including the police.

“In fact, I sequestered myself in the car, precisely to ensure that matters did not get out of hand,” Cojuangco added.

He also said that Hertogh kept haranguing him, calling him names like, “crazy man” and “stupid”, walking up and down the middle of the street pointing his finger at him.

“He also kept scolding the police, questioning their motives for responding to the accident.  I did not think that was right, for a foreigner to be haranguing and scolding us in our own country,” Cojuangco said.*PP

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