Bacolod Vice Mayor El Cid Familiaran called an alleged complaint lodged against him and his wife before the Office of the Deputy Ombudsman for the Visayas in Cebu City political harassment.
Familiaran, who is running for mayor of Bacolod against Rep. Greg Gasataya, said the complaint is clearly harassment given the timing of its filing so close to the May 12 polls.
Familiaran said he has not received a copy of the complaint allegedly filed by three former job order workers of the city government against him and his wife, Ana Portia Familiaran, who was then Administrative Officer III at the General Services Office of Bacolod City, for violation of Republic Act 3019, also known as The Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act.
A document released to the media showed that the complaint was received by the Office of the Deputy Ombudsman for the Visayas, on April 14.
The complainant alleged that the Familiarans abused their position “of having the job order employees of the Sangguniang Panlungsod of Bacolod City to render work at their business and at their own house”.
Familiaran said in 2016 as the election was nearing a complaint was also filed against him for their stall at the Manokan Country that was not even acted on by the Ombudsman.
In a video message on his Facebook page Familiaran said almost all of the Sangguniang Panlungsod employees reported to his house during the COVID-19 pandemic, as they were preparing arroz caldo that was distributed to Bacolod residents along with other aid.
They also distributed masks, alcohol and thermal scanners purchased with his personal funds, he said.
Familiaran said his family did not benefit from the work of the city employees but the people of Bacolod.*