Ex-solon files raps against detractors

Former Rep. Nereus Acosta has filed contempt charges with the Sandiganbayan against a group advocating good governance and several others, for discussing his pending graft case in a letter published in a newspaper.

Acosta said the group Crusader for Good Government had the letter published to malign him so the President would not appoint him to the Department of Environment and Natural Resources after the one-year ban on appointing losing candidates to the government ended.

Also named respondents in Acosta’s complaint were Fr. Venancio Balansag Jr. and Felix Vergara Jr. of the Bukidnon Crusade against Graft and Corruption; government auditor Carlo Matias; Divino Bornidor; Maria Emma Lee; Lucien Dy-Tioco, the advertising chief of the Philippine Star; and a certain Rolly.

Acosta alleged that the respondents were all involved in the publication of the open letter, which he contends constituted indirect contempt. He said they should be imprisoned for one month and fined P5,000.

Acosta’s graft case stemmed from accusations that he used his pork barrel to benefit an organization managed by his relatives.