Despite her legal challenges, Panglao councilor Leonila Montero decided to spend the holiday in Milan, Italy and be with her family.

Montero left the country on Dec. 20, 2022 and arrived a day after, according to long-time assistant JP Maslog.

Montero’s departure from the country means that she is still free to travel despite her challenges from the Sandiganbayan in relation to the case filed by a certain Augustin Cloribel.

In October 2022, the Sandiganbayan found Montero guilty of graft and corrupt practice in relation to her hiring of personnel who are still covered by a hiring ban.

The law stipulates that no person shall be hired for a government position if she/he ran in the previous elections. The ban stays for a year.

However, the Sandiganbayan acquitted Montero for hiring the prohibited person but ordered to return their salaries and be imprisoned for graft practices.

The case remains on appeal before the Sandiganbayan and for this reason Montero can still travel abroad.

PERMISSION

Montero clarified that the Court permitted her to travel abroad, despite her legal issues.

“Nagpasalamat ko sa Sandiganbayan kay kasagaran gud  mga convicted murag slim ang chances nga tagaan ug authority nga maka abroad,” she said during a radio interview over dyTR on Dec. 20, 2022.

RUMORS

There are rumors that Montero decided to leave the country to work abroad.

Montero denied the allegations saying she is already too old to find a job abroad.

Although Montero admitted she had immigrant applications to Australia and Canada that were approved, the former mayor said that she has decided to stay in the country.

She opted to work at her own resort in Tawala, Panglao and eventually went into public service as a three-term mayor and now a sitting town councilor.

She admitted that she wanted to travel abroad for a long time but her commitments to family and politics here prevented her from doing so earlier.

Now, as a councilor, Montero has found time for herself and decided to join the rest of her family to have a short vacation abroad during the holidays as she is expected to return to the country next month based on the date of her return airplane ticket.

After having served for nine years, she sees her vacation in Milan as a wonderful break from her tasks. She also said that the trip is an opportunity to explore the world.

COMMENTS

Montero did not give any comments on the alleged case filed against incumbent Panglao mayor Edgardo Arcay.

She said that she is too busy to dip her fingers into the alleged controvery being faced by her political rival.

Arcay won over Aya Montero in the mayoralty race in Panglao and the latter is the daughter of the former mayor and now councilor of the town.

Montero then gave Arcay a piece of advice to remain truthful and faithful to public service and stay away from corrupt practices.

Montero also offered her time to anyone who needs advice regarding governance as she has a wealth of experience about it.

It was reported that a certain Kit Bagaipo filed a graft case and charge of grave misconduct against Arcay before the Ombudsman in relation to the alleged irregularities involving the operation of carnival rides during the town fiesta in August 2022.