SUSPENDED Silang, Cavite Mayor Kevin Anarna expressed optimism on Friday, May 17, that "truth will prevail," and his innocence will be established in the allegations of grave misconduct, serious dishonesty and conduct prejudicial to the best interest of the service filed by his political opponents.

In a press briefing following the six-month suspension order issued by the Office of the Ombudsman, Mayor Anarna highlighted the political motivations behind the actions of the aide of a former town mayor and his former running-mate-turned-detractor Silang Vice Mayor Edward Carranza.

Anarna disclosed that they are set to file a counter-affidavit against the complaint filed by a certain Edgardo Bayan pursuant to the Ombudsman suspension order.

"We will file a counter-affidavit to answer the allegations which [are] based on concocted evidence," he said.

Bayan accused Mayor Anarna and Bids and Awards Committee Chairman Nathaniel Anarna Jr. of irregularities in the procurement of flowers and string lights used during the Silangueño Ball on Jan. 28, 2023, in honor of the town's patron saint.

Anarna said the complaint has a clear indication that it was "politically motivated."

He noted that the complainant has close links with former Silang mayor Omil Poblete as a driver and close-in aide.

Anarna further noted that Bayan has no personal knowledge of the alleged facts of the Silangueño Ball and the applicable law and jurisprudence.

Regarding the alleged P1.5 billion anomalous transactions that Carranza brought up, the suspended mayor clarified that these allegations stemmed from the audit observation memorandums issued by the Commission on Audit (CoA).

"It is important to note that the alleged anomalies were culled from AOMs (audit observation memorandums)," Anarna pointed out.

He said no less than the Supreme Court, in several cases, has stated that an AOM is not final and that it only contains initial steps in the conduct of an investigative audit.

Anarna said all AOMs issued by the CoA have been answered, and the municipal accountant complied with the submission of all disbursement vouchers requested by CoA.

Moreover, under Section I, Rule V of the 1997 Revised Rules of Procedure of the CoA, an aggrieved party may appeal from an order or decision of a ruling rendered by the auditor.

"Thus, the filing of the complaints was still premature considering that these are still available administrative remedies for the LGU of Silang to contest the audit observations, which were the basis of the complaints," Anarna said.

He claimed that Vice Mayor Carranza's media pronouncements and social media posts claiming transparency are also "politically driven."

"The vice mayor should realize that he is coming out in the open to challenge me and pursue his longtime dream of becoming the Silang mayor," said Anarna.

"He is bullying his way to achieve his desire for power," he added.

Anarna gave his assurance that he had taken all available remedies to lift the suspension order.

"As a lawyer, I am precluded from discussing the merits of our case under the sub judice rule. However, I have strong faith in our justice system to resolve these legal issues, and I will not resort to trial by publicity," he said.