ILOILO CITY – Two controversial former policemen are seeking elective posts in Iloilo province.
Charlie Sustento Jr. and Jonathan Pinuela are running for congressman and provincial board member, respectively, in the fourth district.
FORMER police officers Charlie Sustento Jr. (left) and Jonathan Pinuela file their candidacies for congressman and provincial board member, respectively, of the fourth district of Iloilo. (Tara Yap)
Sustento and Pinuela, who filed their Certificates of Candidacy before the Commission on Elections-Iloilo, are challenging Rep. Ferjenel “Ferj” Biron who they accused of harassment while they were police chiefs in two towns in the district.
In January 2022, Sustento and Pinuela accused the Office of the Ombudsman of corruption during a press conference in Iloilo.
Pinuela conducted a press conference after he was suspended for six months by the Ombudsman.
Sustento, Pinuela’s close friend, aired emotionally charged statements and cursed the Ombudsman.
The Ombudsman dismissed Sustento from the service in October 2017 for grave misconduct and conduct unbecoming when he allegedly pointed a gun to a civilian.
Sustento was reinstated as a police officer at the time of the controversy in 2022.
He was an award-winning policeman but was demoted from police major to police captain during his short reinstatement.
Sustento and Pinuela opted to leave the service. Pinuela left as a lieutenant colonel.