A lawyer sues a congressman, 7 mayors of Cebu’s 5th district over trip abroad

CEBU— Cebuano lawyer Julito Añora Jr. filed complaint criminal and administrative complaints at the Office of the Ombudsman for the Visayas on November 11, against congressman, Duke Frasco and seven mayors of Cebu’s 5^th district, alleging that these public officials violated the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act (RA 3019), the Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees (RA 6713), the Local Government Code (RA 7160), and the Philippine Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Act of 2010 (RA 10121).

Atty. Añora said that his complaints against 5th district representative Duke Frasco and the seven mayors--Aljew Fernando Frasco of Liloan, Avis Ginoo-Monleon of Catmon, Alfredo Arquillano Jr. of San Francisco, Greman Solante of Tudela, Edgar Rama of Poro, Manuel Santiago of Pilar, and Felijur Quiño of Compostela, over their trips to Europe during Typhoon Tino.

“Public office is a public trust. Our people were drowning, our communities were suffering, and lives were being lost — yet our local leaders were abroad on a private trip.  This case is not about politics. It is about accountability.  We cannot excuse absence in times when presence is most needed. The people deserve justice. And the truth deserves to be told,” Añora said, in an interview with media here.

Añora said that his complaint is about reminding every public official that leadership is a responsibility, not a privilege to be enjoyed while their constituents are in crisis and that public officials are duty-bound to lead and protect their people in time of crisis

5^th District representative Duke Frasco, in his social media posts clarified that the London trip was part of the Philippine delegation to the World Travel Market (WTM) and that the Speaker through the Secretary-General of the House of Representatives officially approved his travel, and no government funds were used for the trip.

Frasco, in his various media interviews bared that they arrived in London on November 4 but immediately secured the earliest flight on November 5, arrived in Cebu on November 6 and went directly to ground zero in most affected barangays in Liloan.

With regards to the seven mayors who were with him to the London trip, Frasco said the Provincial government of Cebu, which has the power to approve and cancel travels, has actually approved of the trip.

On the allegations of neglecting to fulfil statutory obligations under the Local Government Code and the Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Act, are based on erroneous assumptions and misrepresentations of fact and law.  “These are legally misplaced,” Frasco said. (Photos: Facebook Posts of Anora & Frasco)