Barangay exec under probe for malicious conduct

The Cebu City Council committee on barangay affairs is looking into allegations of conduct unbecoming a barangay official by a councilman in the northern barangay of Paril.

The council made the move upon receiving a resolution from barangay council of Paril recommending a formal charge against councilman Jeorge Lanza.

The resolution was signed by barangay captain Casimiro Pilones and councilmen Silvano Hayag, Eliseo Jopia Sr., Miguel Vergacer, Helen Doncillo, Melchor Escabarte, Demetrio Soten, and Mario Cerujano.

The resolution said that Lanza allegedly erased the remark “absent” the barangay secretary has written in a logbook for attendance. Aside from erasing the remark, Lanza also allegedly wrote the words “pisti mo.”

The barangay council said the act was malicious and constitutes conduct unbecoming a barangay official because it was agreed by all barangay officials, including the secretary and treasurer, that they should enter their names and signature into the logbook when they report for work and to enter the location and purpose of their leave of absence.

“The actuation of councilman Lanza showed malicious act and conduct unbecoming of a barangay official that may be a ground for disciplinary action…the barangay council of Paril, as a model to lead good governance among its constituents, cannot tolerate such demeanor to prevent any repetition of the same incident and to keep its respect and harmony among its ranks,” the barangay resolution read.

In a report attached to the barangay resolution, the barangay council reportedly called for a conference with Lanza to get his side on the allegations.

In the report, Lanza reportedly denied he was the one who erased the remark of the barangay secretary and subsequently wrote the malicious remarks. Lanza reportedly reasoned that it might have been done by someone that has a grudge on him.

“Hon. Lanza mitubag nga ang nagbuhat ana suko kaayo niya ug adunay kaligotgot kaniya,” the report read.

Councilor Edgardo Labella, chairman of the City Council committee on laws, said that under the Local Government Code, the City Council has jurisdiction over administrative infractions allegedly committed by barangay officials.

Section 61 of the Local Government Code says that any complaint against any elective barangay official “shall be filed before the Sangguniang Panlungsod or Sangguniang Bayan concerned whose decision shall be final and executory.”  – Joeberth M. Ocaoa/LPM