Tinga sues Cayetano over election-related violence

MANILA, Philippines—Taguig mayoralty candidate Rica Tinga filed a complaint Thursday against reelectionist Laarni Cayetano for election-related violence over the incident that left several people injured last May 4.

Tinga, who personally filed the complaint before the Commission on Elections’ (Comelec) law department, said that it was the employees of the Public Order and Safety Office (POSO) that started the fight against her group.

“This is to formalize our complaint regarding the violent incident where my supporters were hurt by employees of [Taguig] city hall,” Tinga said in an ambush interview after filing the complaint.

She said they have a video recording of the incident showing the employees of POSO had attacked her group after they were able to enter and exit the city hall grounds peacefully.

Tinga also maintained that they never had any intent to enter the city hall building itself.

“The reason why we filed a case is so, formally, we can also request that Taguig be placed under Comelec control,” she said.

“Politics is not the issue here, the issue is there are people hurt by the employees of city hall. That’s why they should be answerable for the injuries of my supporters,” Tinga added.

Some 12 supporters of Tinga sufferred injuries from the violence.

Cayetano’s camp claimed that Tinga’s supporters had attempted to force their way into the city hall building causing the members of POSO to engage the group.

Tinga said that she will file a disqualification case against Cayetano Friday.