Tomas to give legal aid to former market chief

Cebu City Mayor Tomas Osmeña says Winefredo is under his employ, doing errands.
CDN Photo/Junjie Mendoza

Former City Market administrator Winefredo Miro will receive legal assistance as he faces the murder charges filed against him in relation to Barangay Ermita chairman Felicisimo Rupinta’s death.

In yesterday’s press conference, Cebu City Mayor Tomas Osmeña confirmed that he will provide legal aid to Miro whom he said should be given a chance to be heard.

“Miro’s resignation has nothing to do with the murder case. Yes, (I approved his resignation,” Osmeña said.

Cebu Provincial Prosecutor Pepita Jane Petralba said yesterday that the murder and attempted murder cases filed against Miro were raffled to a prosecutor last January 3.

“The subpoena will be sent to the respondent (Miro) for him to submit his counter-affidavit and refute the allegations,” Petralba said.

Miro has 15 days to submit his counter-affidavit within 15 days from the time he will receive the subpoena.

From there, the handling prosecutor will have 60 days to resolve the cases.

If there are sufficient evidence, charges will be filed in court against Miro. Otherwise, the cases will be dismissed.

Miro, a former barangay councilman of Ermita and former operations head of the Cebu City Market Operations Division (MOD), was identified by police as the alleged mastermind in the ambush that killed Rupinta. Miro denied the charges.

Osmeña told reporters that Miro is connected to him and is no longer with the Cebu City government.

He said he is currently paying Miro’s salary as he is making him “do personal errands.”

Osmeña said he is open to the idea that Miro will work anew at City Hall.

“Yes, we will consider that but right now, we will just wait and see the basis of cases filed against him,” the mayor said.

Osmeña said the accusations against Miro and the opposition’s insinuations linking him to the murder is driven by political partisanship.

“He (Rupinta) wanted to join BOPK (Bando Osmeña Pundok Kauswagan). He sent word through one of the media guys. He wanted to join BOPK. I said I cannot accept. But why would I kill someone who wants to join BOPK?” the mayor said.