Brgy chiefs accuse Corro of abuse

CEBU, Philippines - Ten of the town’s 20 barangay captains and some private individuals have filed administrative and criminals charges against Daanbantayan, Cebu Mayor Augusto Corro and three other municipal officials.

Led by Association of Barangay Councils (ABC) President Rex Novabos of Barangay Logon in Malapascua Island, the barangay captains accused Corro of grave abuse of authority, conduct unbecoming of a government official, dishonesty, and discrimination by reason of party affiliation or preference.

They alleged that after super typhoon Yolanda struck last Nov. 8, Corro has never been fair and transparent in the distribution of relief goods from the national government, which drew a lot of complaints from their respective constituents.

The barangay captains said they noticed that some typhoon survivors, especially those allied with Corro, have received and were given priority in the distribution of relief goods.

The barangay captains claimed aid from the national government, like tarpaulins, basic relief goods, and galvanized iron sheets, were not given to them by the office of the mayor, most likely because they are known allies of previous mayor Ma. Luisa Loot.

They also accused Corro of using the relief goods to entice them to join his political party and to vote for the mayor’s candidate, Bernardito Luche Jr. of Bakhawan, during the elections for ABC president last December; otherwise, the barangay captains would not get any aid.

Sought for his comment, Corro just laughed at the allegations, saying it is purely political harassment.

He admitted being disturbed by the complaints, but he vowed to answer all the allegations as soon as he is asked by the anti-graft office to officially reply.

“I can’t comment on that until I receive copy of the complaint. Matubag ko gyud na tanan (but I will answer everything),” he told The FREEMAN.

Aside from Novabos, the other barangay captains who signed the complaints filed last March 27 were Leticia Perpetua of Pajo, Francisco Rosalejos of Malingin, Pablo Arsenal Jr. of Tinubdan, Herminia de Castro of Calape, Isidro Rodrigo of Tominjao, Ali Abucay of Maya, Zenaida Arriesgado of Agujo, Ramon Camino of Carnaza, and Remedios Layos of Lanao.

Prior to the said barangay captains filing complaints against Corro, some residents of Sitio Backyard, Barangay Poblacion, also brought charges before the anti-graft office last March 24 against the mayor, Vice Mayor Gilbert Arrabis Jr., Councilors Chona de Leon, Juanito Ybañez and Emmanuel Benatiro, for the same reasons.

The complainants were identified as Linda Coyoca, Cherry Burlas, Leake Ronald Eduardo Jr., Hedeliza Rondina, Leonora Calipay, Marilyn Rondina, Florencia Rodrigo, Jocelyn Rondina, Geraldine Calipay, and Mercedita Almocera.

They said they brought their concerns before the municipal council because they could not take anymore the discrimination and unjust distribution of relief goods prompting them to.

But in the town council’s session last March 14, Arrabis allegedly did not mind the residents’ complaint; the vice mayor vehemently denied the claim.

 â€œWala sa agenda pero ako gi-accommodate (It was not in the agenda but we still accommodated it),” he told The FREEMAN.

Arrabis questioned why he was included in the charges when he had no hand in the distribution of relief goods.  He said, though, that there was shortage of roofing materials and other relief items, which explains why there were those who did not get any.

In their complaints, the barangay captains and the residents alleged there were actually plenty of relief goods that some were even rotting at the municipal gym, which was under the control of Corro.

“It cannot be denied that the present administration of Mayor Corro is very vindictive, unjust, oppressive and discriminates in its treatment of those constituents-victims of the typhoon allied and identified with the previous administration,” read the complaints.

 Both Corro and Arrabis, who are allies, denied the allegations, saying the opposition councilors were actually the ones who have politicized the issue.

 â€œThese are all products of political drama,” Arrabis said.

He added that records would show that assistance from various groups and from other local government units were distributed to the victims.—/RHM (FREEMAN)