Mabanto takes over as Mandaue City fiscal

Mandaue City’s new chief prosecutor won’t be a pushover inside or outside the courtroom.

President Benigno Aquino III appointed Bienvinido Mabanto as Mandaue City chief prosecutor, replacing prosecutor Ferdinand Peque who retired last year.

In 2010, Mabanto was accused by a Japanese national of mauling him following a traffic altercation in Mandaue City. Complaints were also filed against Mabanto by a bus driver who claimed to have been slapped by the fiscal in another traffic altercation.

Despite this, the president still chose the 60-year-old prosecutor to lead the Mandaue City Prosecutors’ Office. Mabanto took his oath of office before Regional State Prosecutor Fernando Gubalane last March 27.

In a phone interview, Mabanto cited his 30 year experience as a prosecutor.

“Sila man maoy nagbuot. (It was the president’s decision to choose me),” he said.

Gubalane, in a separate interview, said Mabanto served as deputy city prosecutor   of Mandaue City before his recent appointment.

As chief prosecutor of Mandaue City, Mabanto will approve the resolutions or the findings of  five assistant city prosecutors in cases filed with  the office. Reporter Ador Vincent Mayol