Negros Occidental Gov. Alfredo Marañon Jr. yesterday said he will not use the Arles murder case as an issue against Vice Governor Genaro Alvarez Jr. in his campaign for governor.

Marañon said he will focus on his 11-point agenda for Negros Occidental that covers poverty alleviation, income generation, good governance, education, health and food security concerns.

He reiterated that the campaign for governorship will be friendly. It is the essence of democracy that people must have a choice, he said.

Marañon said he wishes the vice governor, who will celebrate his birthday Saturday, a long life and good luck, and stressed that he has nothing to do with the filing of the murder charges against Alvarez.

His lawyer is studying what case to file against Cauayan Vice Mayor Jerry Tabujara for statements he made in his counter-affidavit naming him (Marañon) as one of those who “orchestrated” the Arles case, which is not true, the governor said.

Tabujara yesterday said it is the governor’s prerogative to do what he wants, he was merely airing his side in his counter-affidavit that he sent to the Department of Justice after he had been named as a respondent in the murder of the judge.

In his counter-affidavit, Tabujara said the murder raps against him, the vice governor and Ilog Mayor John Paul Alvarez were politically motivated and should be dismissed.

Lawyer Frank Britanico, brother-in-law of Arles, yesterday said the DOJ Assistant State Prosecutor had ordered the vice governor, Tabujara and Nelson Rustom Puro to appear at the DOJ yesterday and submit their counter-affidavits in the case filed against them for the murder of the judge.

As of the end of office hours yesterday, Britanico said none of these persons appeared.

Alvarez submitted his counter-affidavit through his lawyer, but since the order in the subpoena was for him to appear personally, he was ordered, through his lawyer, to appear on October 22 to subscribe to his counter-affidavit, Britanico added.

The vice governor has repeatedly denied involvement in the murder of the judge.

Contrary to his claim, Tabujara did not submit a counter-affidavit, Britanico added. Tabujara’s lawyer had said they sent his counter-affidavit to the DOJ by registered mail.

Puro did not submit a counter-affidavit either, Britanico added.*CPG

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