• GILBERT P. BAYORAN
La Castellana Mayor Alme Rhumyla Nicor Mangilimutan yesterday said that Councilor Donato Dumaguit is trying to divert the issue, instead of answering accusations against him.
Brushing allegations hurled against her by Dumaguit, Mangilimutan said she is willing to open her bank accounts, Statements of Assets, Liabilities and Net Worth, and properties, for scrutiny.
Mangilimutan, however, said that Dumaguit should not divert the issues hurled against him by numerous complainants.
Dumaguit and Mary June delos Santos are both facing multiple counts of large scale estafa, initially filed against them by 11 of more than 40 police aspirants that they allegedly promised entry to the Philippine National Police in exchange for cash.
Mangilimutan said she is ready to answer all accusations of Dumaguit against her in a proper forum, should he decide to press charges against her.
“The issue is in him, not me” the mayor said, stressing that Dumaguit should have raised it a long time ago, before he was charged in court.
As to the claims of death threats, how can that be, when his house is located on our property, Mangilimutan pointed out.
If he is claiming innocence, Dumaguit should be here in the town, she added.
Dumaguit has failed to attend the Sangguniang Bayan of La Castellana for five consecutive sessions after the police recruitment scam issue, which victimized about 47 police aspirants, was exposed.
Mangilimutan said that the La Castellana municipality convened as a committee of the whole to tackle the issues against Dumaguit, and even invited some complainants.
Dumaguit was given 15 days by the Sangguniang Bayan of La Castellana to explain his five consecutive absences in their regular session.
PCol. Leo Pamittan, provincial police director of Negros Occidental, yesterday confirmed that 11 cases have been filed against Dumaguit and delos Santos before the Provincial Prosecutors Office in Bacolod City.
Under Department Circular No. 20 of the Department of Justice, Pamittan said the case will undergo a case and intelligence buildup by investigators and prosecutors.
“They will study the case to ensure a good conviction rate in the courts,” he said, adding that Dumaguit and his cohort are charged with a non- bailable offense, as it is a heinous crime.
Four policemen and a non-uniformed personnel assigned at the Bacolod City Police Office, whose names were mentioned in the affidavits of three victims, have also been relieved from their respective positions.*
