By Tara Yap
Iloilo City—Seven town councilors in New Lucena town, Iloilo province have sued Mayor Christian D. Sorongon for graft over the halting of 53 infrastructure projects and his refusal to pay for 24 completed projects.
Mayor Christian D. Sorongon of New Lucena town, Iloilo province (Facebook/ Manila Bulletin)
In the complaint filed before the Office of the Ombudsman Visayas, Sangguniang Bayan (SB) Members Rodolfo Sumaray, Isabelo Acollador, Nestor Sibolinao, Henry Acuero, Isidro Sala, Wilfredo Labaro, and Paquito Sornito claimed Sorongon caused “undue injury to the local government and constituents” of New Lucena.
The 27-year-old and neophyte mayor is also facing complaints of grave misconduct, conduct prejudicial to the best interest of the service and oppression.
Sorongon told Manila Bulletin the councilors were trying to get back at him after he filed a complaint before the Ombudsman for the 77 infrastructure projects that he claimed are anomalous.
The projects were approved during the term of his predecessor and political rival, former mayor and now Iloilo Provincial Board Member Liecel Mondejar-Seville.
The councilors said the unfinished projects, especially unfinished roads, are presenting “serious risk and danger to numerous motorist, children and residents.” They added that there were already many vehicular accidents because of the incomplete road projects