Nueva Vizcaya mayor faces raps for ‘lying’ on two marriages

BAGABAG, Nueva Vizcaya -- The Office of the Ombudsman has ordered the filing of perjury charges against the incumbent mayor here for marrying two women and lying about it,

Graft investigators said the criminal case against Bagabag Mayor Nestor Sevillena stands as he failed to present evidence to disprove the allegation that he married Amy Nadugo on Jan. 30, 1984 and again married a certain Amida Afan on Dec. 26, 2000.

Ombudsman Merceditas Gutierrez approved the filing of perjury charges against Sevillena after junking his motion for reconsideration on an earlier resolution that found probable cause to indict him.

Graft investigation and prosecution officer II Teresita Butardo-Tacata said the perjury case is an offshoot of a criminal complaint for bigamy filed against Sevillena before the Quezon City regional trial court.

Sevillena, in his motion for reconsideration, insisted his second marriage was null and void because he did not secure a marriage license nor did he appear before anyone for a marriage ceremony.

He argued the Ombudsman erred in finding enough reason to file perjury charges against him, saying the complainants in the case are not the offended parties because his supposed first wife is not even complaining.

Butardo-Tacata, however, ruled that the mayor “failed to submit newly discovered evidence” nor did he “specifically point out how this office allegedly erred in its joint resolution.”

“It must be worthy to stress that the respondent himself admitted his motive in entering into a marriage with Ms. Afan to be able to secure a green card (residency permit) or citizenship in the United States of America,” the ruling read.

Last month, Quezon City RTC Branch 79 Judge Bernelito Fernandez issued an arrest warrant against Sevillena for bigamy. The mayor posted P24,000 bail for his temporary liberty.