TUESDAY I MAY 14, 2Oi9
By ROMINA CABRERA
Quezon City congressman
and mayoralty candidate Vin-
cent "Bingbong" Ciisologo
wiII be investigated for alleged
vote buying and obstruction
of iustice, the Commission
on Elections (Comelec) an-
nounced yesterday.
Crisologo was arrested on
Sunday night after he inter-
vened in a police operation
against his supporters alleg-
edly involved in voie buying
in Barangay Bahay Toro.
He was released from de-
tention yesterday after charges
ot uniust vexatior! direct
as-
sault upon persons of author-
ity, obstruction of justice, dis-
obedience and resisting arrest
were filed against him before
the city prosecutor's office
yesterday aftemoon.
A complaint for violation
of the Omnibus Election Code
for alleged vote buying and
s_elling was also filei a[ainst
the lawmaker
Assistant city prosecutor Crisologo for shouting pro- without a warrant cou-ld be
Felomina Apostol-Lopez said fanities at his policemen. justified, according to Justice
authorities failed to iustify Crisologo denied Esquivel's Secretary Menardo Guevarra.
the arrest of Crisologo, hii allegation. But ihe lawmaker Guevarra refuted the claim
son Frederick William and 43 . refused to arswer when the of Crisologo that his arest was
others. police official challenged him illegal due to the absence of a
"The complaint against to issue a denial under oath. walfant.
them needs tobe threshed orrt Maj. Gen. Guillermo Elea- "A warantless arrest is au-
in a full-blown investigatiorL" zar, National Capital Region thorized whenever a criminal
Lopez said in a five-page 'Police Office director, said offerse is being committed in
resolution. Crisologo apparently wanted the presence of an officer of
Crisologo cast his vot'e in media mileage after he 3e-
the law. On this pbint there
Barangay Sta. Cruz following fused to have his handcriffs is no distinction between an
his release. rehovAu; pointing out that
ordinary criminal act and
Comelec spokesman James there were a lot of media pres- an election offense with a
Jimenez said Crisologo's afiest ent at the time.
penal sanction, " Guevarra
would not a,ffect his candidacy krterior Secretary Eduardo explained.
pendingthe result of the probi. Aflo ordered the removal of
Renato Echas, 80, was the
Philippine National Police the handcuffs as a courtesy to
lone person caught with mon-
(PNP) chie{ Gen. OscarAlbay- the lawmaker.
ey at the alleged vote-buying
alde defended police officers Reports said Crisologo site. Echas admitted thar hr'
who apprehended Crisologo, threatened police operativls received P800.
saying his arrest was not po- at the site.
liticallv motivated-
-
"Crisologo himself was - Crisologo's camp denied
there was vote buving at
Albayalde dismissed CxisolG looking to be arrested. He the site, saying it "was" an
go's claimthat the city police was threatened our policemen.
orientation for their poll
being used for politics. Parang (As iflhe was begging
watchers. - With Sheila
Quezon City Police District to be arrested with what he Crisostom6, Emmanriel
(QCPD) direitor Brig. Gen.
did," Esquivel said. Tupas, Edu Punay,
Joselito Esquivel Jr. slammed The arrest of Crisologo Elizabeth Marcelo
'1
pAw -g,