Duljo official accused of not paying her debt

CEBU, Philippines - The city council has referred to the Committee on Barangay Affairs an administrative complaint filed by a moneylender against a councilwoman of barangay Duljo-Fatima.

The Committee on Barangay Affairs headed by councilor Eugenio Faelnar, will determine whether the complaint filed by a certain Fe Sungahid of barangay Looc, Mandaue City, against Cherry Padilla, a barangay councilwoman of Duljo-Fatima, merits an administrative complaint.

“The Committee will determine whether it constitutes an administrative complaint as this might create a precedence and the city council might become a collecting agent,” according to presiding officer Acting Vice Mayor Hilario Davide III.

According to Sungahid’s complaint, Padilla violated Section 46 of the Revised Administrative Code particularly on failure to pay just debts.

“Please conduct the necessary administrative investigation and thereafter impose the corresponding penalty after hearing of the case,” Sungahid said in her letter to the council.

In her affidavit, Sungahid said that Padilla refused to pay over P300,000 despite repeated demands made and after an order was issued by the court.

Padilla reportedly availed of a loan presenting as collateral a lot under the name of her mother-in-law which she accordingly bought.

Of the total amount, only P18,000 was paid by Padilla to Sungahid.

“Accuse as an elective barangay official, being an epitome of integrity, model and exemplar of her constituents in the barangay, where she is leader should not be tolerated to simply disregard her money loan obligation,” Sungahid said.

Should the matter be unsolved by the Committee on Barangay Affairs it will then be forwarded to the Committee of Three of the North District. — Ferliza C. Contratista/BRP (THE FREEMAN)