New Lorega brgy captain denies drug money yarn

Lorega-San Miguel barangay captain-elect Lorenzo “Larry” Monsanto has strongly denied reports that a druglord helped him win in Monday’s elections.

“Bakak na. Kon tinuod pa kana, nganong ang unom sa akong mga konsehal napilde man? Sila tingali ang akong mga kaatbang maong nalambigit sa vote-buying og gipasangil lang nila nako,” Monsanto said in an interview over dyLA yesterday morning.

Outgoing barangay captain Fortunato Parawan allegedly claimed that a druglord supported his opponent in the elections.

Monsanto assured the public that he would launch a massive campaign against those engaged in the illegal drug trade to prove that he was not supported by a druglord.

“Wala g’yod ko makaila anang giingon nilang druglord nga taga Lorega. Dunay nag-ingon nga tua na man nang tawhana sa laing nasud,” said Monsanto.

Only one of Monsanto’s candidates for councilman won in the elections. Of the other winning candidates, four came from the group of Parawan while the two others are independent.

Meanwhile, Monsanto assured to look into the reported “ghost employees” of the barangay once he assumes office on December 1. But he did not say whether he would initiate the filing of a criminal case against those responsible.

There were reports that some of those listed in the payroll of the barangay are non-existent or are not actually working in the barangay.

Monsanto confirmed that he also heard the issue of ghost employees of the barangay and even brought it during the campaign period.

He announced that he would “overhaul” the barangay by firing out all its employees, particularly those tanods, who had allowed themselves to be used by Parawan in the last elections.

“Ato na silang pangilisan kay naghatag lang na sila og dakung kauwawan sa barangay tungod sa ilang mga binuang,” Monsanto said. — Rene U. Borromeo/LPM