Porac mayor Jaime Capil files counter affidavit over graft complaint

The camp of suspended Porac, Pampanga Mayor Jaime Capil said Friday he has filed his counter affidavit on the graft complaint against him before the Department of Justice (DOJ).
Capil was not personally present at the DOJ, but was represented by his lawyer.
"Nilinaw namin 'yung ilan sa mga facts na hindi tama by providing evidence na dokumento to the contrary," Sos Sian, Capil's lawyer, said in an ambush interview.
(We clarified some facts that were wrong by providing documentary evidence to the contrary.)
Sian said they provided explanations about the documents attached to the complaint.
Capil, Porac Business Permit and Licensing Office head Emerald Salonga Vital, Municipal Vice Mayor Francis Tamayo, and seven Sangguniang Bayan members were charged over the operations of Philippine Offshore Gaming Operator (POGO) firm Lucky South 99.
Authorities previously said Capil and Tamayo were the ones who approved the business permit of Lucky South 99 even if it was not qualified to be granted the same.
Sian said they are hoping to clear Capil's name.
"We trust that the DOJ and the prosecution system in general will be able to evaluate our case fairly so that, in the end… ay mapatunayan na wala naman talaga kaming accountability dito (we can prove that we have no accountability here)," Sian said.
In October 2024, the Office of the Ombudsman suspended Capil and others due to alleged gross neglect of duty.
This developed after the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) accused Capil and the nine others of inaction and willful non-compliance of their duties as they allowed the continuous operation of the Lucky South 99 in their town. — VDV, GMA Integrated News