Marikina City 1st District Rep. Marcelino Teodoro on Monday filed two counts of perjury against two female police officers who previously accused him of sexual assault, claiming that their allegations were mere fabrications.
Teodoro’s legal counsel Alma Mallonga confirmed the filing of perjury complaints in a statement on Monday, Oct. 13.
“They (alleged victims) were not threatened, they were not harmed. Congressman Marcy had no weapons. But the complainants always carried a service gun, tucked inside their pants. The claim of rape is baffling and incredible under these circumstances. The complaints should be dismissed,” Mallonga said.
“The complainants admit they have no evidence. At the same time, many witnesses have testified Congressman Marcy was never alone with the complainants, and there was no opportunity for him to have committed the crimes they impute. This means they perjured themselves,” Mallonga added.
Under Republic Act 11594, perjury is punishable by a penalty of a jail time of six years to 10 years. If the offender is a public officer or employee, the penalty is imprisonment ranging from 10 years and one day to 12 years.
A person found guilty of perjury may be also imposed a P1 million fine and perpetual disqualification from holding any appointive or elective position in government or in any of its agencies, entities, or instrumentalities.
In September, the two female police officers – who were previously assigned as Teodoro’s close-in security – filed a complaint for alleged acts of lasciviousness and rape by sexual assault against Teodoro, which he denied as malicious and untrue.
Mallonga pointed out that Teodoro’s accusers did not report the supposed assault and still went to work after the alleged incident.
“They continued to report for work, happily interacting with their co-workers, even on the very same days they claimed to have been abused. As the complainants themselves admit, no force or intimidation was employed upon them,” the lawyer said.
“False claims of rape harm everyone, especially women who are true victims of the crime. In the end, he (Teodoro) is confident that the truth will prevail. But, as duty demands, he will pursue the perjury charges against the women,” Mallonga added.
“Matatag ang loob kong makakamit ko ang hustisya at mababasura ang mga imbentong reklamong ito. Pero kailangan managot ang mga nagsisinungaling,” Teodoro said in the same statement.
(I know that I will be able to achieve justice and this made-up complaint will be dismissed. But those who lied should be held accountable.)
“The justice system should never be used as a weapon by those with malicious intent to destroy the innocent,” Teodoro added.
He also maintained that the charges were politically motivated.
“Tigilan na ang maduming politika. (Let’s stop the dirty politics). It’s heartbreaking that we’ve come to a point where ambition prevails over truth and decency, where some people no longer fear God, only losing power,” he said. — JMA, GMA Integrated News
