Before Ombudsman: Brgy JOs file complaint against councilwoman

CEBU, Philippines — Five job order employees of Barangay Umapad, Mandaue City filed a complaint before the Office of the Ombudsman yesterday, May 30, 2024, against one of their barangay councilors for grave abuse of authority.

The complaint was filed against Umapad Barangay Councilwoman Libertine Lumapas by Gemma Mata Ortega, Girlie Reyes Gabisan, Lea Gabisan Jimenez, Lima Sotchesa Organ and Erwina Batulan, who are seeking for the councilor's six-month preventive suspension.

“That a probable cause be found to indict her for Violation of Section 3 (f) of RA 3019 or for whatever crime that the graft body may find appropriate; and that she be found liable for grave misconduct and/or grave abuse of authority and be punished accordingly.”

The complainants, in their eight-page complaint, alleged that Lumapas, who is the chairman of the Committee on Appropriations of the Sangguniang Barangay of Umapad, refused to release their honoraria of P5,000 per month from January 1 to April 30, 2024.

Apart from the five complainants, there were others too who allegedly did not receive their honoraria.

The complainants said that they inquired from Umapad Barangay Captain Reb Cortes and Barangay Treasurer April Melody Fernandez about the reason for the non-payment of their honoraria.

They were informed that although the budget and funds were available, their honoraria cannot be released because Lumapas refused to sign the payroll to certify the "Existence of available appropriation for the charges/expenses.”

Funds were reportedly available and Cortes inquired with Atty. Giovanni Tianero of the City Budget Office of Mandaue City asking for his legal opinion on the budget to be used to fund the honoraria.

Atty. Tianero reportedly opined that the honoraria can indeed be disbursed by the barangay operating on a reenacted budget, which was reportedly the same opinion rendered by DILG.

The complainants were further informed by Cortes and Fernandez that the circumstances surrounding the refusal of Lumapas to sign included a few demands, including their DTRs and their appointments to be attached to the payroll. But even if this was complied, the complainants said Lumapas still refused to sign.

Lumapas also required that the Oaths of Office and proof of concurrence of the Appointment by the majority of the Sangguniang barangay be presented to her.

The complainants added that they are aware that Cortes had, on several occasions, requested Lumapas to sign the payroll but the latter refused.

Further, upon the orders of Lumapas that she wanted to see the barangay job order employees, the complainants said they attended the May 10, 2024 Sanggunian session.

At that time, Lumapas allegedly said that the reason why the honoraria was not released was because the payroll lacked attachments, like the concurrence and Oath of Office.

After having been presented their DTRs and Appointment, Lumapas stressed on the additional requirements like the Oaths of Office and the concurrence by the Sangguniang Barangay of their appointments, both of which the complainants said are not required in order for Lumapas to certify that there is appropriation for their honoraria.

The complainants said this is “abusive and oppressive” of Lumapas and they further alleged that Lumapas intends to encroach into the appointing authority of the barangay captain.

Lumapas has allegedly gravely abused her authority, according to the complainants, just because she and the barangay do not belong to the same political camp and their Sanggunian is split at 6-2.

They said that Lumapas is allied with the majority while only two councilors are with the barangay captain.

“That is why she is demanding for the concurrence of the majority to our appointment, knowing that it is not obtainable,” the complainant further said.

The Freeman tried to get the comment of Lumapas regarding the complaint but was not available as of press time.— ATO (CEBU NEWS)