THE so-called Calape 7, composed of incumbent and former Sangguniang Bayan members of Calape town, are facing warrant of their arrest issued by Presiding Judge Lindecita Arcamo of Regional Trial Court branch 1.
“Let warrant of arrest be issued against all accused,” the court partly said, and placed the bail for their temporary liberty at P90,000.00 each.
The court issued such arrest warrant after finding probable cause to hold respondents face court trial under Criminal case No. 31126 for violation of section 3(e) of Republic Act No. 3019.
Identified as accused are SB Members Joyce M. Josol, Maria Aileen D. Veloso, Jeanie Verano, Ma. Leonora G. Rulona, Bella C. Ancog, Amado T. Samijon and Mark Louise C. Cambangay.
It was learned from a reliable source that only one has yet to post bail of P90,000.
It will be recalled that the Ombudsman administratively penalized the Calape 7 barring them from holding public office due to grave misconduct.
But lately, they got reprieved as the Court of Appeals downgraded their penalty of dismissal from service, grave misconduct and accessory penalties earlier imposed by the Ombudsman, to just simple misconduct with a penalty of just suspension of one month and a day.
The administrative case OMB-V-A-JUL-24-0127 against the Calape 7 was filed by then Mayor Atty. Julus Caesar Herrera.
The case stemmed from the act of Calape 7 of alleged ‘deliberate’ exclusion of some proposed items funded by the 20% development fund in the annual budget of the town, rendering the said budget inoperative, jeopardizing development projects of the town.
This paper tried to contact the concerned councilors to get their side. (Ric Obedencio)
