Don’t take sides. Be impartial, Aklan SP members told

BY BOY RYAN B. ZABAL

 PLARIDEL MORANIA

Aklan Sangguniang Panlalawigan Plaridel Morania reminded his colleagues to set aside personal interest in the administrative complaint filed against New Washington town mayor Edgar Peralta.

The investigation took a major twist after heated exchange of words ensued between Morania and SP member Rodson Mayor in the plenary session and in radio interviews. 

“SP Mayor is pre-empting the Aklan SP to suspend Mayor Peralta for 90 days when we have yet to receive the answer of the mayor,” said Morania, who also chairs the investigating committee.

Last Monday, the Aklan SP officially asked Mayor Peralta to answer the administrative complaint of businessman Engr. Jonathan Salvador of Barangay Polo in New Washington, Aklan for violation of Section 60 of the Republic Act No. 7160.

A motion for reconsideration was filed by SP member Mayor, however, the investigating committee said the action was moot and academic.

“Why you are filing a motion for reconsideration in favor of Peralta? What is your interest in this case? Let the investigating committee do its job. Let us maintain the neutrality, impartiality and have no undue advantage in this case,” Morania heated back on SP member Mayor. 

“Owa ta ako ga hambae nga pinartido ro pag-imbestiga ku kaso. I assure you na tatapon namon ngara ro kaso. If they could substantiate the evidence in an administrative case, they will win the case.”

Mayor Peralta and SP member Mayor are political allies while majority members of Aklan SP, including Morania are staunch allies of the administration. 

“I have no interest on this investigation except that I am duly elected by the people to act as investigating judge on the case,” Morania said, “as one of the sitting judges, SP member Mayor must maintain impartiality throughout the proceedings and the motions in behalf of the parties must be avoided."

Morania said the administrative case was thoroughly evaluated by the committee and prior to that by the committee on rules, laws and ordinances and the committee on good governance and public accountability.

He also mentioned the dissenting opinion submitted by SP member Harry Sucgang “merely an expression of his disagreement with the decision of the majority members of the investigating committee."

Although a similar case was filed at the Office of the Ombudsman for the Visayas by Engr. Salvador against the town mayor, Morania said, "the Aklan SP has yet  to receive copies of the official complaint and the answer of Mayor Peralta."