The drama intensifies.
That is what the public thinks after former 3rd District Congressman Vicente “Ching” Veloso registered with the Commission on Elections (Comelec) on March 11 his new residence in Isabel, Leyte.
However, a certain Rhodora Basilio filed an opposition and claimed Veloso was lying.
It is not uncommon for politicians expanding their political empire to switch residences. For Veloso's case it can be speculated to be as such.
The Comelec later heeded the call of Basilio's lawyer, Atty. Ariel Baltazar, to investigate the said residence in Brgy. Mahayag and confirmed that Veloso indeed is a resident of the area.
What's The Motivation?
This led the public to question the motive of Basilio who was alleged by Isabel, Leyte Mayor Edgardo Cornejo to have two pending cases in the local court. Sources also said the cases against Basilio were of swindling and estafa.
Upon the case's dismissal, Veloso's supporters believed that it was an attempt to sabotage the politician after Basilio pointed the finger to Atty. Baltazar whom she claimed to be the brains behind the case filed.
It can be recalled that Veloso had openly challenged 4th district representative Richard Gomez for the seat in Congress.
In this regard, Basilio later refused to entertain questions from the media.
A Possible Lawsuit
Meanwhile, Veloso, a former Court of Appeals justice, threatened that Basilio could be criminally liable.
During the hearing, Basilio's confession to perjury and the alleged intentional deletion of parts in the Voter’s Registration Act of 1996 can put both her and her lawyer in a bad position.
“That is an intentional deletion which I would assume could be corrected by the lawyer but I'm not saying it was the lawyer who maliciously deleted that provision but it was subscribed and under oath document so the lawyer who prepared that would be answerable for that. He can be disbarred and criminally prosecuted for that.”
Sources said that Veloso appeared to have no intention of further complicating the matter.
War Among Supporters
Veloso's supporters, on the other hand, are accusing the supporters of the Gomezes of orchestrating the case.
Since both politicians avoid pointing fingers, many residents of the fourth district believed that the coming elections will be a war between their supporters.
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