Barangay captain asks PB to hold execution of suspension

CEBU, Philippines - The suspended barangay captain of Bakhawan, Daanbantayan, Cebu, is asking the Provincial Board to hold the execution of the Sangguniang Bayan decision pending appeal.

Suspended Bakhawan barangay captain Bernardito Luche Jr. through counsel, Kit Enriquez, filed his appeal last March 27, 2012 before the Board after the Daanbantayan municipal council found him liable for four offenses in one administrative case filed by complainants led by his barangay councilor, Veronico Espinosa.

Espinosa through counsel, Nathaniel Clarus, also filed his opposition to the petition of Luche.

The case is now pending before the provincial board constituting as Committee of the Whole who will decide the merits of the appeal.

Luche alleged that his suspension is politically motivated and has caused undue prejudice to the public.

He said the decision was not based on clear appreciation of basic facts of the case but was arrived at in a political act.

Luche is the lone remaining opposition of the 20 barangay captains in Daanbantayan and claimed to be the “pet peeve” of Mayor Ma. Luisa Loot.

He filed a case against Loot now pending before the Office of the Ombudsman concerning the closure of some 25 cemeteries in Daanbantayan.

An SB Resolution authorizing Loot to implement the decision was also passed on March 2, 2012. The suspension took effect last March 13, 2012.

The Municipal Council, as a Committee of the Whole, found Luche guilty for four administrative infractions thereby imposing the penalty of suspension from office for a period of six months each for every infraction committed, or equivalent to two years.

The case stemmed from a complaint filed by Concepcion and Prociso Piedad. The couple alleged that Luche directed his barangay tanods to forcibly take away their cut trees.

The complainants also alleged that Luche, without authority, collected the amount of P125 as permit fee and P30 clearance fee when the barangay ordinance only authorizes the collection of P15.

Luche was not the first barangay captain to be suspended by the council.

Before the 2010 barangay elections, the SB also suspended former Bateria barangay captain Arsenio Luciano, also an opposition, for 30 months after he was found guilty of five administrative charges. —(FREEMAN)