Crisis in Ermita

CEBU, Philippines - Official transactions in Barangay Ermita, Cebu City are held in abeyance until the Office of the President appoints a caretaker following the suspension of its officials.

These include signing of barangay-related documents like barangay clearance and vouchers for the salaries of the barangay workers.

The Department of Interior and Local Government implemented the six-month preventive suspension against the barangay’s officials yesterday, leaving their posts vacant.

The Office of the Ombudsman-Visayas ordered the suspension of barangay captain Felicisimo “Imok” Rupinta and councilmen Marky Rizaldy Miral, Antonieto Flores, Ryan Jay Rosas, Alio Tamundo, Domingo Ando, Maria Buanghug, and Wilbert Flores for their alleged failure to cooperate in the anti-drug operation in the barangay last year.

DILG Cebu City acting director Emma Joyevelyn Calvo confirmed receiving the memo of DILG-7 Director Rene Burdeos dated January 30 to implement the suspension order.

“On this regard, you are hereby directed to serve unto the respondents the attached implementation order together with the certified true copy of the order of the Office of the Ombudsman (Visayas) not later than 02 February 2017,” the memo reads.

It was the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency-7 that filed the case against the officials. PDEA Director Yogi Filemon Ruiz said the agency confiscated shabu worth over P800,000 and arrested drug traders at the barangay.

Ruiz said the suspension will serve as a lesson to barangay officials.

Foul?

DILG personnel waited for 25 minutes for Rupinta at the barangay hall to implement the order yesterday.

Rupinta claimed they were suspended without due process.

“Wala gyod ni due process. Wala mi gihatagan og higayon para motubag sa complaint. Late na mi kadawat sa complaint ug notice to answer. Mas nauna pa og dawat ning order sa suspension,” Rupinta said.

Still, he said he will heed the Ombudsman order and go on vacation while serving his suspension, however, not until the Office of the President appoints a caretaker for the barangay.

“Lisod gyod ni mabiyaan nga barangay. Wala gud mi fuel allocation. Samot kalisod. Kun kinsay molingkod diri, parehas nako, makakuot gyod og P1,000 kapin kada adlaw para krudo sa garbage truck,” he said.

He said he is worried that the problem of illegal drugs will be “restored” now that he is out of office.

Contrary to the reason why he and his colleagues were suspended, Rupinta said they conducted house-to-house campaigns against illegal drugs and 75 percent of the sitios have been “cleared from illegal drugs.”

Replacement

Calvo said it will be the office of the mayor that will take over management of the barangay until the president appoints a caretaker.

Rupinta insisted, however, that someone from the barangay should take over and not the allies of Mayor Tomas Osmeña.

He said he wants existing barangay leaders to take over, including Bonifacio Torevellas, Roy Zobrado, and Vivian Ando.

Two weeks ago, Osmeña recommended former city councilor Augustus “Jun” Pe Jr., incumbent Tejero Barangay Captain Jessielou Cadungog, and SPO1 Adonis Dumpit as caretaker of the barangay two weeks ago.

“Seriously, we can’t allow things to be disrupted there,” Osmeña said.

Sentiments

Fe Gellicaña, 56, rushed to the barangay hall upon learning of the suspension.

“Sakit kay wala mi magdahom nga maingon ani si kap ug mga konsehal. Maayong tao man si Kap. Dili gyod na mobalibad kung mangayo mig tabang niya. Daghang gipang-raid nga barangay, nganong amoa may gilisodlisod?” she said in between tears.

Doni Maglanat, 19, a barangay tanod, said over 98 barangay tanods in the barangay, as well as other workers, will resign once an ally of Osmeña will take over.  (FREEMAN)