The Cebu City Hall employee who filed a complaint against Rep. Rodrigo Abellanosa of Cebu City’s south district said he felt vindicated after the Ombudsman-Visayas ordered the congressman’s dismissal on graft charges.
“This is not for me or for my family. I’m here fighting for the truth. I’m not planning to run for any position. What I want from this is for people to know that even if you’re just an ordinary citizen and taxpayer, you should show that you can make a difference,” administrative aide Philip Banguiran said.
Banguiran said he filed a complaint against Abellanosa in his capacity as private citizen two years ago.
In his complaint, he questioned the accreditation of the congressman’s two schools in Cebu City’s scholarship program.
“I’m happy and I expected the ruling. I hope this will be the start to resolve and improve our government scholarship program in Cebu City,” Banguiran said.
The 40-year-old resident of barangay Inayawan works under the city’s peace and order program and heard stories about the program from co-workers.
He said he found it unfair that most of the city’s scholars are from Abellanosa’s schools while only a few come from other schools.
“In fairness to Abellanosa’s school, they also have employees, teachers and scholars. So I don’t really wish that the money be taken away from them,” he said.
Abellanosa earlier told Cebu Daily News that his lawyers filed a motion for reconsideration on the Ombudsman decision.
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