Mayor tagged in Aman Futures scam insists he’s innocent

Pagadian City Mayor Samuel S. Co. Richel V.Umel/Inquirer Mindanao

MANILA, Philippines—Pagadian City Mayor Samuel Co insisted anew that he has no involvement in the operations of Aman Futures Investment, the company tagged in the biggest pyramiding scheme in the country.

Co, through his counsel, submitted a three-page counter affidavit on the complaint filed by a certain Julius Labunog.  Labunog and his group allegedly invested P30 million in Aman Futures.

The Pagadian Mayor did not appear on Wednesday’s preliminary investigation. His counsel Angel Gatmaitan said Co will officiate a Kasalang Bayan in Pagadian. Co is running for Congress under the ruling Liberal Party.

“I vehemently deny the complaint against me because, as will be shown… I am also a victim of Mr. Manuel Amalilio (Aman Futures founder) and his cohorts and this complaint is nothing but a malicious and politically motivated harassment suit against me because of my present candidacy as member of the House of Representatives representing the First District of Zamboanga Del Sur after being City Mayor of Pagadian City,” Co said.

“Contrary to the claim of Mr. Labunog, I have not entered into any agreement with Aman Futures regarding the imposition of 4% tax on Aman Futures or to make it appear in public that it is a legitimate business. However, I admit that I have made some personal investments in Aman Futures, just like the complainants,” Co said.