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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider Visayas devider Lawyer files cases vs Cebu officials overseas during 'Tino' onslaught

Lawyer files cases vs Cebu officials overseas during 'Tino' onslaught

Published Nov 11, 2025 06:35 pm
LAWYER Julito Añora Jr. talks about the complaint he filed against a group of public officials in Cebu province who were in Europe when typhoon ‘Tino’ struck.
LAWYER Julito Añora Jr. talks about the complaint he filed against a group of public officials in Cebu province who were in Europe when typhoon ‘Tino’ struck.
CEBU CITY – At the time Cebu was being battered by typhoon ‘’Tino,’’ Cebu fifth district Rep. Duke Frasco and seven mayors were in Europe.
And for this, the group of public officials must be held administratively and criminally liable, according to lawyer Julito Añora Jr.
Añora on Tuesday, Nov. 11, filed administrative and criminal complaints asking the Office of the Ombudsman for the Visayas to investigate Frasco and the seven mayors for alleged violation of the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act (Republic Act 3019), the Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees (RA 6713), the Local Government Code (RA 7160), and the Philippine Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Act of 2010 (RA 10121).
Mayors named in the complaint were Aljew Fernando Frasco of Liloan, Avis Ginoo-Monleon of Catmon, Alfredo Arquillano Jr. of San Francisco, Greman Solante of Tudela, Edgar Rama of Poro, Manuel Santiago of Pilar, and Felijur Quiño of Compostela.
In filing the complaint, Añora said public officials are duty-bound to lead and protect their constituents in times of crisis.
Añora clarified that no one was behind him when he decided to file the complaints, which came a few days after Frasco lashed out at Cebu Gov. Pamela Baricuatro for supposedly neglecting the town Liloan in the province’s relief efforts.
Frasco is the former mayor of Liloan, which recorded the highest number of fatalities during the typhoon.
“I’m not connected to Gov. Pam. I’m not connected in any manner to any politicians. I’m not in any manner connected to any groups. I filed this in my own volition. I filed this on my judgements. Because I’ve seen the incompetence of these officials,” said Añora.
The lawyer said the respondents were remiss in their duties for not being around when the typhoon struck on Nov. 4.
“I mourn with the those all of the victims of the typhoon. If these local chief executives were around, I would have not filed this case. There is a dereliction of duty here,” Añora added.
In a statement, Frasco defended his trip to Europe, saying it was an official mission and not a vacation.
Añora’s filing of the complaints were “erroneous assumptions and misrepresentations of fact and law,” said Frasco.
Frasco said he travelled to London as part of the Philippine delegation to the World Travel Market (WTM), one of the largest global travel and tourism expos.
He added that his travel was approved by the Speaker of the House of Representatives through the Secretary-General and adhered to established procedures for congressional missions abroad.
He added that no government funds were used for the trip.
Frasco said that allegations that he failed to fulfill statutory obligations under the Local Government Code and the Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Act are “legally misplaced.”
He said his duties as a legislator focus on representation, lawmaking, and oversight but he extends personal support and relief and mobilizes resources in times of crisis.

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Cebu Tino Rep. Duke Frasco Ombudsman
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