Ex-governor cleared
of kidnapping raps
BY ALEX PAL

The Office of the Ombudsman has dismissed the kidnapping charges filed against former Negros Oriental Gov. Jose Baldado for lack of merit.

In a 12-page Resolution dated July 5, 2011, Acting Ombudsman Orlando Casimiro approved the recommendation of Graft Investigation and Prosecution Officer Francis Euston Acero and Preliminary Investigation, Administrative Adjudication and Review Bureau Director Mary Antonette Yalao to dismiss the charge filed against Baldado and Romeo Sablada, a  tanod of barangay Candabong, Manjuyod town, on March 5, 2010.

Baldado and Sablada were charged with Kidnapping, Serious Illegal Detention Grave Coercion and Child Abuse at the height of last year’s campaign period, where Baldado, who, at that time was vice-governor, was a candidate for governor.