In strict Davao City, councilors attending nat’l convention nabbed for violations

DAVAO CITY, Philippines–The national convention of the Philippine Councilors League (PCL) here was marred by the arrest of two delegates and the driver of PCL chair and Parañaque City Councilor Alma Moreno for various offenses.

Senior Inspector Milgrace Driz, spokesperson of the Davao City Police Office, said Councilor Sergio Antigua Batistis of Albuera town in Leyte was caught on Thursday selling fake certificates of appearance and official receipts.

Driz said Batistis was arrested during an entrapment operation inside the SMX Convention Center here, where the PCL has been holding a three-day convention until Friday.

Driz said a police officer pretended to be a councilor and bought a fake certificate from the suspect, who was immediately collared.

Recovered from Batistis were at least 28 pieces of certificate of appearance and P103,500 in cash, which was believed to be from his illegal sales; and mobile phones.

Without specifying dates and other details, Driz also said Moreno’s driver was issued a traffic citation ticket for violating the 30-kilometer-per hour speed limit in the downtown area.

Another councilor, she said, was reportedly fined for violating the anti-smoking ordinance in the city.

Driz said the arrests proved that authorities here did not give preferential treatment to violators.

“We will religiously implement the (laws) for as long as you are here in our jurisdiction as a tourist or visitor even if you are public official,” Driz said.

In January last year, former Mayor Sara Duterte was also flagged down by traffic enforcers for overspeeding and was issued citation ticket.