CONGRESSMAN Erico Aristotle “Aris” Aumentado of the Second District calls on his detractors not to use his deceased father, the late Governor Erico B. Aumentado, for political purposes.
It can be remembered that radio and social media personalities allied to the current Provincial Government had dedicated their talking points in the past few days to the alleged graft and corruption issues that the solon’s father had faced during his tenure as the provincial chief executive, especially on his so-called participation on the Quedancor (Quedan and Rural Credit Guarantee Corporation) swine scandal.
In a statement posted on his official Facebook page last February 16, 2022, the legislator noted that his father, who had served not just Bohol but the whole country for many years, dedicated himself to public service, and that he had done everything in making sure that his projects will benefit Boholanos for a long time, especially the current generation.
“Mohangyo ko nga irespeto nato ang panumduman sa usa sa haligi sa atong probinsya. Gihatag ni papa ang tanan niyang makaya aron kita molambo, ug ang atong mga kabataan naka-benipisyo pa gihapon sa iyang agi. Ang focus ni Papa mao ang kaayuhan para sa Bohol, inubanan sa pag-amping sa iyang ngalan kay mao ra ang iyang gibilin nga legasiya kanamo (I am asking you to respect the memory of one of the pillars of our province. My father gave everything for us to progress, and our youth still benefit from the projects he initiated. Papa (Erico)’s focus has been for the betterment of Bohol, together with taking care of his name, as it is his only legacy to us.),” Aris said.
The Second District Representative also reiterated that as it is him who is running for governor in the 2022 polls, it would be impossible for him to allow anyone to tarnish his father’s legacy, which has left behind a legacy of service and in which he intends to continue on his political career.
He also posted that the issue happened in 2012 and that the Ombudsman had already dismissed the said complaint, which also includes former Agriculture Secretary and current Governor Arthur Yap, due to “lack of merit”.
“Palihug ayaw buling-bulingan ang tawo nga mitaliwan na kay dili na siya makadepensa sa iyang kaugalingon (Please don’t put a stain on an individual that has passed away, as it would be impossible to defend himself),” the solon said in conclusion.
Erico’s so-called participation in the said scandal arise from his supposed membership in Quedancor as national president of both the League of Provinces of the Philippines (LPP) and the Union of Local Authorities of the Philippines (ULAP), as provided for by law. However, it was former LPP deputy secretary-general Raoul Villano who represented him in its meeting, and the late governor denied allegations that he had known about the scam nor avail of any loans under the program.
In the Revised Penal Code, under Article 353, it is a criminal offense to speak ill of the dead. It is considered libelous to “blacken the memory of one who is dead”. As it falls under libel, the punishment ranges from “prison correctional in its minimum and medium periods or fine ranging from 200 to 6,000 pesos, or both, in addition to the civil action which may be brought by the offended party”, as per Administrative Circular No. No. 08-2008 of the Supreme Court issued by former Chief Justice Reynato S. Puno. (PR/jja)
