"Committee of the whole" for complaints against Daanbantayan officials

CEBU, Philippines – The Provincial Board has decided to investigate the three complaints filed against Daanbantayan Mayor Sun Shimura and Vice Mayor Maria Luisa Loot as “committee of the whole.”

In its regular session yesterday, the board approved on first reading the proposed ordinance of Board Member Joven Mondigo Jr., which stipulated the ground rules for the investigation of administrative cases against elective municipal officials in the province.

The first two administrative complaints against Shimura and Loot were filed by Provincial Social Welfare and Development Officer Marivic Garces and General Services Office officer-in-charge Bernard Calderon.

Garces and Calderon alleged that the municipal officials committed “gross negligence and dereliction of duty” for their failure to implement the Early Child Care and Development and Saksak food programs of the Capitol, and to maintain its military vehicle.

The third complaint was filed by Claro Benatiro, acting chairman of the Tapilon Rural Waterworks and Sanitation Association Inc. in barangay Tapilon, Daanbantayan. Benatiro had asked that the financial operations and records of the waterworks facility be looked into.

Benatiro alleged that the new members of the TARWASA board plan to put up a new waterworks facility.

Yesterday, Board Member Peter John Calderon proposed that the board tackle the three complaints as a whole and not just the committee on complaint and investigation.

Board Members Jose Ma. Gastardo and Juan Bolo opposed the proposal, saying the same would violate the board’s own rules that all referred communications must be addressed to the proper committee.

Calderon, however, argued that just the committee on complaints and investigation still cannot decide on the complaints but would only forward recommendations for the board as whole to decide.

Mondigo, chairman of the committee on investigation and complaints, supports the proposal of Calderon.

Mondigo said he even “initially decided to inhibit from the case,” considering that the subject Daanbantayan officials are members of his district. He later decided to still take part of the probe but not as member of the lead committee.

Maambong, the majority floor leader, clarified that the house rules are temporary and can still be amended, such as in the complaints against Shimura and Loot. — Garry B. Lao/JMO (THE FREEMAN)