CAGAYAN de Oro City Councilor Zaldy Ocon has buried the hatchet with Task Force Hapsay Dalan (TFHD) chairman lawyer Edgardo Uy and Roads and Traffic Administration (RTA) Engineer Nonito Oclarit.
Uy said he and Ocon settled some issues between them, issues that cropped up after Ocon allegedly slapped a Roads and Traffic Administration (RTA) enforcer inside the session hall last December 1.
"Wala namay problema siguro. Nag-istorya nami after sa budget hearing. Nag-istorya siya sa iyang gibati ako pud giklaro ang hitabo, (There is no longer any problem. He expressed his sentiment and I clarified what happened)" Uy said.
Ocon had called for Uy’s replacement as overseer of the RTA after the latter said he was standing by RTA enforcer Ric Emmanuel Agustin, the object of Ocon’s ire inside the session hall.
Ocon had slapped Agustin after taking issue at the latter’s "arrogance" in issuing him a traffic citation ticket.
But Uy said Ocon's move on Thursday, December 15, for the approval of RTA's budget worth around P92 million may be the councilor’s indirect way of expressing his apology.
Uy said Ocon earlier expressed opposition of the said budget.
"Wala hinoon klaro nga nag-ingon siya nga sorry pero sa akong tan-aw ang iyang pag-move sa approval sa budget mao na to," Uy said.
"Nganong diretso man niya gi-move ang approval nga siya man unta nag-oppose," Uy added.
Uy said they have not talked about Ocon's supposed call to have him relieved.
He said Ocon may have also misinterpreted his statement that Agustin was his "man."
"Akong giklaro nga sa akong pag-ingon nga akong tawo si Agustin meaning tawo sa RTA kay dili gani ko ka-recognize ni Agustin tungod kay daghan sila enforcer diha. Walay malice sa akong pag-ingon nga akong 'tawo' si Agustin," Uy said.
"Tungod tingali atong pag-ingon nga akong 'tawo' si Agustin busa gilabanan nako mao naay misinterpretation," Uy added.
With regards to Ocon's claim that Agustin was arrogant during the issuance of the ticket for illegal parking violation, Uy maintained that the purpose of confronting Ocon on December 1 was part of the investigation.
Uy said they would not even tolerate traffic aides who have been complained for arrogance or any wrongdoings in line of their duties.
"Sa dili pa maghusga sa alegasyon nga arogante, maayo imbestigahan maong gipaatubang sila aron ma-imbestiga pero nahitabo naman hinoon ang insidente," Uy said.
"Kay kung mapamatud-an ang kahiwian sa enforcer dili namo i-tolerate. Naa gani mi gi-suspend ug gi-terminate, (If we prove the enforcer's misconduct, we will not tolerate it. We have suspended and terminated [traffic aides]" Uy added.
Asked whether he would still support Agustin if the latter persists in filing criminal and administrative charges against Ocon, Uy said he has yet to talk with Agustin regarding the development.
RTA administrative officer Engineer Nonito Oclarit said they are still waiting for the final plans of Agustin.
"Mag-agad mi kang Agustin kay siya man ang complainant. Akong nahibaw-an naa na siyay abogado," Oclarit said.
Oclarit also said they will discuss the plans about standing as principal witnesses should Agustin pursue the filing of charges.
"Amo nang istoryahan. Mag talk mi balik," he said.
Agustin could not be reached for comment.
