Cooperative execs face malicious mischief case

Officials of a cooperative that runs the water system of Pilar are facing a malicious mischief case for allegedly destroying the town’s water pump.

The complaint was filed by the National Bureau of Investigation before the Cebu Provincial Prosecutors’ Office against the officials of the Gabi-Gabihan, Rural Waterworks and Sanitation Association, Incorporated.

The chairman of the cooperative, Edwin Borinaga, and nine others including five members of the board of directors were named respondents of the complaint.

They are Melecio Alcala, Joselito Corasa, Pepito Colminas, Selvino Lamberte, Teodolfo Catarus, Rogelio Cahiyang, Arsenio Arnido, Tomas Dalaguete and a certain Bing.

The NBI filed the case based on the complaint lodged by Pilar Mayor Jesus Fernandez, Jr.

Fernandez said the respondents are running the existing waterworks system of the town. However, when he was first installed as mayor in 2006, the local government installed its own submersible pump in the same cave where the cooperative’s pumps were located.

Fernandez said the local government unit intends to service the areas not covered by the cooperative. According to him, the installation of the town’s submersible pump was completed last January 8.

Fernandez said they installed the local government’s water pump despite the strong objections from the cooperative officials. In fact, they were denied entry to the cave where the pump was installed by padlocking it.

Fernandez said they just let it passed until last January 28 when respondents allegedly destroyed the submersible pump by taking it out from the water. He said the pump costs the municipal government P125,000 to purchase it. – Fred P. Languido/LPM