A MERE coincidence.
That was how boxing promoter Rex Wakee Salud, his lawyer Filmore Gomos and Commission on Elections (Comelec) Cebu City officer Marchel Sarno described their Sept. 22 lunch together in a Mandaue City restaurant.
“It was pure coincidence,” said Salud yesterday.
“I pity him (Sarno) because he was dragged in this issue. Maybe he knows me but I don’t know him,” Salud said in Cebuano in an interview in his office.
“That was the first time I met him, and by mere coincidence. Cordova is not under the jurisdiction of Cebu City north district, if that is what our malicious opponents want to insinuate. If I could have dinner with Don King in las Vegas, what’s wrong with having lunch with a fellow Cebuano in Cebu?”
But incumbent Cordova Mayor Adelino Sitoy said the meeting, unplanned or not, was “unethical” since Sarno could have advised Salud in his office. “We really don’t know what they talked about,” he said.
Salud and Sarno were photographed by Cebu Daily News Correspondent Jucell Marie Cuyos having lunch at Shabu Way in Parkmall-Mandaue last Sept. 22.
Also in the photo were Salud’s lawyers Magnificos Cañete and Fimore Gomos.
Salud said he and the two lawyers arrived first at the restaurant. They then invited Sarno when they spotted him in the area.
“If we went there to talk something illegal, why do it in a public place?” said Salud.
Gomos said there was nothing malicious about the lunch meeting.
Gomos said when he and Salud saw Sarno in the restaurant, they asked him about an administrative matter.
“We consulted Sarno whether it is true that the deadline for the Comelec en banc to decide on the petition for disqualification is until Dec. 21 and that if Oct 31 is the last day for the registration of voters,” Gomos said.
Gomos said he and Sarno are basketball teammates in the Integrated Bar of the Philippines.
He said and Salud knew there was a reporter in the restaurant at the time.
“We didn’t hide because there was nothing malicious in that meeting. If we were hiding something, we would have gone to a private room.”
Salud yesterday filed a motion for reconsideration on the adverse court ruling. Regional Trial Court Judge Raphael Yrastorza will hear the pleading today.
Meanwhile, Sarno said Salud asked him in “passing” about residency requirements.
Gomos said the court failed to take into consideration a certification from a barangay captain that Salud is a resident of Cordova.
Also, Gomos said Salud was not assisted by any lawyer when the court conducted an ocular inspection of Salud’s house in Cordova.
Salud said a trisikad driver named Palicte Dinoy filed the petition to disqualify him.
Salud showed an acknowledgment receipt from Comelec, showing that he was one of the registered voters at precinct 53B.
He said he was determined to run for mayor and has the support of People’s Champ Manny Pacquiao in his campaign.
“Manny promised that he will invest in Cordova if I win. He plans to put up hotels and develop beaches. Development will definitely will result to more jobs for the constituents,” Salud said.
Sitoy was in Manila yesterday to file a petition to cancel Salud’s candidacy following a court ruling that disproved his residency in Cordova town. With Reporter Ador Vincent Mayol and Correspondents Jucell Marie P. Cuyos and Norman V. Mendoza