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IN his Nov. 5 column, Neal H. Cruz touched on the case OMB-L-C-07-0453-E.

I am Oscar R. delos Reyes, 60 years old, the municipal mayor of Mariveles, Bataan from 1988-1998. I caused the filing of the case against Gov. Enrique Garcia and some members of Bataan’s provincial board for violation of Republic Act 3019 (Anti-Graft, and Corrupt Practices Act) and RA 7080 (plunder).

I was a member of the Preparatory Recall Assembly that initiated the first-ever successful recall proceedings (1993), also against Governor Garcia.

Now, I am at it again, not to recall him but to prove that what I did was within the bounds of the law. I always fight for what is just, righteous and for the common good.

I do not question Cruz’s integrity and know-how. I respect the views he expressed in that column. Everyone has the right to air his opinion.

I filed the complaint for the following reasons:

1. My strong belief in our justice system based o my own personal experience. Complaints were filed against me at the height of Recall Proceedings in 1983. I did not go to the media. Instead, I hired a lawyer, defended myself in court and I won. Would it be better for Governor Garcia to do the same? He should face the charges. If he is not guilty, the court will acquit him; if he is, the court will convict him. He should trust in our justice system.

2. The Ombudsman sees a probable cause of action. The charges still have to be proven in the Sandiganbayan. So, Garcia should not cry foul. Let me just remind Cruz that Governor Garcia, his son Rep. Abet Garcia, and another son, Mayor Joet Garcia, are close allies of the administration, and the governor is the titular head of Lakas-Kampi in Bataan. So, why is he crying politics? On the contrary, I am an ordinary citizen, who they say is a “Politikong Pulpol.”

3. “Evil triumphs when good men do nothing.” I do believe in this.

Finally I did file my complaint to prove that the law exempts no one.

—OSCAR R. DELOS REYES, Mariveles, Bataan

• Obama set to name Clinton as top envoy
• Officials quit over India attacks
• Power of numbers won over truth
• Arroyo allies asking for more ‘beef’?
• Tasteless remark at House hearing
• The system
• Good leadership is what we need most
• Tightening the noose
• Dialog eases rift in Lapu-Lapu parish

• Real numbers in Con-ass
• Charter amendment leads to ‘conquest by money’