Sambag 1 captain sues former and current barangay officials

CEBU, Philippines - Sambag I Barangay Captain Lemar Alcover has filed two complaints before the Office of Ombudsman against incumbent and former officials of the barangay.

In the first complaint, Alcover accused former captain Jerry Guardo, Barangay Treasurer Filomeno P. Chuntic and councilmen Mario Tallo, Ma. Luz Flores, Ramon Rama, Vicente Bacus, Kristle Ann Canarez, Lyza Khrizelle Bacaltos, and Victor Cogal of failing to liquidate the P3 million financial assistance from the city government.

“Sauna gipanghatag ubos sa programa ni Mayor (Michael Rama) ang P6.6 million kada barangay. Wala ko mahatagi karon kay daghan og problema nga wala ma-liquidate… ambot asa nang kwartaha nga wala ma’y mga resibo,” Alcover said.

Based on records of the city accountant, Sambag 1 has not liquidated financial assistance from the city government amounting to P3,000, 804.24, which the barangay received during Guardo’s term. 

“Gipadad-an ko og notice sa COA (Commission on Audit) nga nagpahibaw nga ang previous administration naay unliquidated. Ako pod gipadad-an og letter silang Guardo pero wala man sila motagad,” he said.

Alcover said financial aid from the city would have been helpful especially now that the barangay has nothing to spend after five councilmen refused the appointment of Guardo’s choice for treasurer and, in effect, disallowed the disbursement of barangay funds.

Because of this, officials of the barangay have not received their salary equivalent to three months and the barangay has not paid its electricity bills.

The refusal of the five councilmen – Jaime Lacuña, Lyza Khrizelle Bacaltos, Nestor Tallo, Khristle Ann Cañares, and Ramon Rama – to honor Alcover’s choice for treasurer is the contention in the second administrative complaint.

“Kanang usa ka complaint, abuse of discretion of authority… mao nang 5 ka konsehal saako term nga paugat, dili mu-concur sa akong gi-appoint nga bag-ong treasurer. Wala sila namirma inspite nga didto nami’g DILG (Department of the Interior and Local Government), na-resolve na gani didto nga legal akong paghimo,” Alcover said.

“Ika-duha namong move naabot pod mig conference sa Ombudsman ana pero wala gihapon sila nihimo maong wala naman gyod koy mahimo, ako na silang gi-file-an,” he added.

In his complaint, Alcover said that that as the elected barangay captain, he has the power to appoint the treasurer, secretary, and other appointive officials as stated under the Local Government Code Chapter 3 Section 389.

Alcover also stated that respondents should be directed to shed light on the legitimate ground of their consistent failure to attend the regular session.

“And if found unsatisfactory, impose the necessary and appropriate sanction,” he said.  (FREEMAN)