Bingbong Crisologo set free
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, May 13) — Quezon City mayoral bet Vincent "Bingbong" Crisologo has been ordered released after being arrested by police Sunday night.
In a resolution issued Monday afternoon, the Quezon City Prosecutor's Office ordered the Philippine National Police (PNP) to release Crisologo, his son Frederick William, and 44 others arrested for alleged vote-buying activities.
Police said they will file charges of unjust vexation, direct assault, and obstruction of justice against Crisologo for a reported run-in against cops in relation to a suspected vote-buying Sunday evening.
Police reported that around 7:30 p.m., operations against vote-buying were conducted in a house in Barangay Bahay Toro. A certain Renato Echas was apprehended and found to have P800 and a volunteer card with Crisologo’s picture which led to the arrest of 43 others. Crisologo reportedly arrived just as the cops were to bring out the arrested, with the police saying that the candidate humiliated operatives and as pulled into the house.
Crisologo was later on handcuffed and taken to Camp Karingal in Quezon City. Senatorial bet Larry Gadon stepped in Monday as Crisologo's lawyer.
City prosecutors said Crisologo's warrantless arrest was not justified.
"The evidence is presently unclear that the crime of vote buying and vote selling took place. There is no showing of a clear offer to purchase a vote and the acceptance of the offer," the inquest resolution read.
The city prosecutor's office also ordered a "full-blown preliminary investigation" for the other charges against Crisologo and his supporters, which include grave coercion, resistance and disobedience, and usurpation and illegal detention.
Crisologo was eventually able to vote at his precinct at Heroes Hill Community Center just two hours before polls closed.
He is among the front-runners in the mayoral race in the city, running opposite Vice Mayor Joy Belmonte.
The candidate is also facing a disqualification case for lacking proof of absolute pardon in relation to his double life imprisonment sentence for arson with homicide.
