ILOILO CITY — Mayor Ronnie Dadivas of Roxas City is eyeing to file cyber libel against Capiz Provincial Administrator Edwin Monares for the latter’s post on Facebook.

“Ang iya malisyoso, iresponsabli, binutig nga post kag pagpabangud nga wala sang pruweba. Gin-tuyo niya nga samadon kag higku-an ang akon karakter kag integridad lakip na ang maayo nga ngalan sang Roxas City Government (His post is malicious, irresponsible, and full of lies because there is no basis. He has the intent to damage my character and integrity as well as the good name of the Roxas City government),” said Dadivas in a statement.

To recall, Monares posted on Facebook last Feb. 19 a photo the Commission on Audit (COA) independent auditor’s report addressed to Dadivas.

The photo was accompanied by Monares’ opinion that the Roxas City government under Dadivas of the Liberal Party (LP) should explain COA’s report for the account balance of the Property, Plant, and Equipment (PPE) worth P1.33 billion.

Monares’ post was in response to an earlier incident when LP politicians questioned the Capiz provincial government for a separate COA report on the purchase of medicines. Monares claimed the LP politicians are “lying and deceiving the people.”

Dadivas explained that COA’s report was the suggested remedial measure when the Roxas City government was not able to conduct a physical inventory of the PPE worth P1.33 billion.

Dadivas noted the P1.33 billion PPE already exists. The COA just wanted a report on the existence and condition of the PPE such as buildings, vehicles or office equipment that already existed even in previous administrations.

Dadivas also added that Roxas City government is already implementing the remedial measures suggested by COA and doing inventory.

There has been a rift between the Capiz provincial government under Governor Esteban Evan Contreras II and the LP officials after the governor ran independently during the 2019 elections and bolted the LP.