NEGROS Occidental Vice Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson challenged the jailed village captain from Bacolod City to show evidence he is a “rabid drug user.”
Last week, Barangay 35 village chief Manuel “Maui” Huelar Jr., who is now in prison for sale and possession of illegal drugs, linked the province’s top leaders, along with their kin, to the illegal drug trade in the affidavit he supposedly executed while in prison.
In a press conference Monday at the Vice Governor’s Office, Lacson said he believed someone is behind Huelar, and he thinks the public has a hunch who it is.
“I also have a hunch who is behind the affidavit. But it is unfair to mention the person’s name,” he said.
Lacson said he is hoping that Huelar will “be man enough to divulge who’s really behind his issuing, preparing and signing of the affidavit.”
He added that it could be politically-motivated, but “I think the issue is whether Mr. Huelar can prove I’m a druggie...He has to prove this allegation, but I don’t know how he will.”
The vice governor said he is willing to prove he is not drug dependent through medical means, like drug test, to disprove the allegations.
Lacson said that Huelar’s affidavit, which falsely accuses him of using drugs based on his “expert opinion” alone, is “very irresponsible, utterly false, malicious, and made with impunity.”
He said that the detained barangay captain “clearly committed perjury,” adding that Huelar is already in prison and “can make such perjurious statements against me and other individuals without any regard for its consequences.”
The vice governor added that Huelar is “a mercenary and a loose cannon,” who is willing to make unfounded and malicious accusations against him and other public officials.
He said that he had been in the public service for 30 years and “have never been accused of any involvement in illegal drug trade nor in using illegal drugs myself, or of any wrongdoing for that matter.”
Lacson pointed out his public record speaks for itself and vouches for his integrity.
Ally?
Lacson laughed when he was asked if the person he suspected behind Huelar was his ally.
He said that “this person we have in mind” knew some of the information Huelar supplied in his affidavit.
He said one of the information that was mentioned by Huelar in the affidavit was his mother’s connection to the Roxases, adding that “I don’t think Mr. Huelar has personal knowledge about it.”
Huelar alleged in his affidavit that Lacson is a “rabid drug user as shown in his demeanor, appearance, and bodily movement.”
The village chief claimed that the vice governor has a “thin frame and dry looking skin indicated of shabu’s (methamphetamine hydrochloride) effects on the appetite and hygiene of a person.”
He said Huelar was talking about his tongue and skin, and that “somebody up close to me can make that allegation.”
He bumped into Huelar during the Panaad Festival last year, he said, adding “it was hi, hello, and goodbye. It was only by chance we got introduced.”
Brother not into drugs
Huelar also accused Lacson’s brother of operating a “drug selling kingdom” in the posh subdivision their family used to own in Bacolod.
Lacson said he assures the public and Huelar that if he and his family have any knowledge about his brother supposed involvement in the illegal drug trade, they will not tolerate it.
He said his family laughed that he had been accused of being drug dependent.
He also said he will continue to do his work although, “it bothers me. This is a very serious accusation...so far, nobody has questioned my credibility and integrity.”
He said the issue didn’t change his plan to seek a higher office in the next elections.
“We will still see if I’m still the best possible candidate for that position. That option is still open, nothing has changed,” he added.
He said that a legal action against Huelar, like perjury and libel, is an option.
“My counsel is saying what difference would it make with Mr. Huelar because he is already in jail. There will be no changes of his present situation. He will remain in prison,” Lacson said.