T. Padilla council sacks SK head for absenteeism

The barangay council of T. Padilla expelled one of its members for chronic absenteeism, this according to barangay captain Michael Ralota.

Ralota said that Mary Geeve Cabrera, chairperson of the Sangguniang Kabataan, was removed from the payroll of the barangay council effective July 1, on the very day of her expulsion.

In his letter addressed to Department of the Interior and Local Government regional director Rene Burdeos and city director Patricio Gabuya, Ralota said that Cabrera was absent since March this year without official leave.

"Through written warning, her attention was already called regarding her consistent absences, but she was hesitant to attend [the session]," Ralota said.

In Cabrera's response, she wrote, "I compel myself to withdraw from my position as SK chairman." Cabrera stressed in her letter addressed to Ralota and the barangay council that family problems was one of the reasons why she needs to resign from the position, and had to look for a job, considering that she is the eldest daughter in the family.

Ralota said that Cabrera was given the chance to make up her mind, but she declined from pursuing her task as SK head; thus, the council decided to call for the assumption into office of SK first councilor Reuben James Corro as new SK chairperson.

He was also called to attend the regular session last July 1.

Section 435 of the Local Government Code of 1991 provides that "in case a Sangguniang Kabataan chairman refuses to assume office, fails to qualify, voluntary resigns from office, or has been absent without official leave for more than three consecutive months, the Sangguniang Kabataan members who obtained the next highest votes in the election, immediately preceding, shall assume the office of the chairman for the unexpired portion of the term." - Garry B. Lao