Central Negros Electric Cooperative has filed a case for violation of the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act against Barangay Singcang-Airport Barangay Captain Rosinie Distrito, and the barangay secretary and treasurer, before the Office of the Ombudsman for the Visayas
Lawyer Marcus Vaflor, in behalf of Ceneco, also filed complaints for violation of Republic Act 7832, otherwise known as the Anti-Pilferage of Electricity and Theft of Electric Transmission Lines/Materials against Distrito and two other barangay staff.
Distrito was quick to dismiss the accusations, claiming that the charges were politically motivated.
“Look who’s filing the cases, the same lawyer who filed election protest against mayoralty candidate Albee Benitez. Now Ceneco is engaged in politics,” Distrito said.
Vaflor is the legal counsel of several members of Grupo Progreso who filed a protest questioning the Bacolod residency of Benitez, he pointed out.
Ceneco personnel allegedly discovered in February that the barangay hall was tapping into the cooperative’s power line without consent.
Malou Parroco, head of the Ceneco Cooperative Promotions Section, said that politics is not involved when it comes to the issue of power pilferage.
Distrito’s mother re-electionist Councilor Simple Distrito and older brother Caesar Distrito, who is running for vice mayor, are both members of Asenso Bacolod with Benitez.
Caesar Distrito, in a vice mayoralty candidates‘debate, reiterated that cases filed were politically motivated and that negotiations are underway, when questioned about the matter by Vice Mayor El Cid Familiaran of Grupo Progreso.*