Bacolod City Councilor Renecito Novero denied the reports that he is involved in illegal gambling operations.
In a privilege speech during the City Council’s regular session Wednesday, May 17, Novero said that upon his return from abroad, he discovered that his name has been dragged into the issue.
It has been reported that “RN of SP Bacolod” was tagged as “protector of illegal gambling.”
“I discovered that this nasty story has proliferated some pages of local newspapers. I am not aware if it has already inhabited any column of national dailies. I am not aware, too if it has found residence in our local radio and airlanes,” Novero said.
He said that the phrase “SP of Bacolod” has been interpreted to refer to the Sangguniang Panlungsod (City Council) of Bacolod City, where there is only one member with the initials of “RN” and that is him.
“While I am a lawyer, and a very active practicing lawyer, I have never been a counsel of any gambling entity or institution, be it legal or illegal. And while I do not pass judgment upon anyone who might be involved in such trade, I strongly condemn any false and malicious involvement of my name into such enterprise,” Novero added.
The councilor said he will write a letter to those who falsely dragged his name to the illegal gambling issue.
“I hope that after one week from receipt of my letter, I shall no longer feel constrained to file a libel suit against them. I hate to make enemies when we can still be friends,” Novero said.
