Council for withdrawal of rap vs. councilman

The Cebu City Council committee on barangay affairs has recommended the withdrawal of a complaint against a Paril councilman who allegedly altered an entry in the barangay’s official logbook and wrote vindictive words in it.

The committee recommended the withdrawal after the Paril barangay council would no longer pursue the investigation against Lanza as the complaint has already been withdrawn.

In its resolution, the barangay council said: “Brgy. Councilor Jeorge Lanza, aside from realizing his mistake, has apologized to the honorable council of Paril that the case be given consideration and be settled in the interest of public service.”

The resolution also said that Lanza has deep remorse over his wrongdoing “and realized that he had committed an offense affecting his role as public servant.”

In a prior resolution, the barangay council alleged that Lanza erased the remark “absent” the barangay secretary wrote in a logbook for attendance. Aside from erasing the remark, Lanza also allegedly wrote the words “pisti mo.”

The barangay council said Lanza’s actuation was malicious and constituted conduct unbecoming a public official.

The council said it was reportedly agreed by all barangay officials, including the barangay’s secretary and treasurer, that those concerned 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 should they take one.

“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 wrote the malicious remarks.

He reportedly reasoned that it might have been done by someone that has a grudge against him.

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

Local Government Code says the city council has jurisdiction over administrative infractions allegedly committed by barangay officials.

Section 61 of the 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. Ocao/LPM