In San Fernando Town, Barangay captain, two councilmen suspended

CEBU, Philippines - The municipal council of San Fernando has imposed a 120-day suspension without pay on an opposition barangay captain and two councilmen for alleged grave abuse of authority and grave misconduct. 

Barangay Balud captain Reliso Enad and councilmen Lolita Enad and Arcadio Bacasmas said they wonder why they were accused of misdemeanors when they were just doing their job. 

“It’s all politically motivated and pure harassment,” Enad told The Freeman.

Enad is an ally of former San Fernando town mayor Lakambini Reluya. Reluya is the rival of incumbent San Fernando Mayor Abe Canoy. 

The municipal council of San Fernando had acted on a complaint filed by Municipal Planning and Development Coordinator Engr. Ignacio Pagalan Jr. against the barangay officials in relation to the installation of water pipes in their area. 

Pagalan filed a malicious mischief charge against the barangay officials last year and accused them of derailing the installment of pipes in the barangay.

The officials were charged with theft, which the court later dismissed.

Municipal Councilor Neil Enriquez, who belongs to the administration, alleged the barangay officials illegally cut the water hoses that were installed by the municipal government in barangay Balud.

He said Enad and the two councilmen cut the water hoses in order to prevent the municipal government from tapping on the water pipe of the barangay. 

Enriquez said the source of water that was to be tapped will come from barangay Tongo and that there was never an intention to tap the water supply of barangay Balud. 

The conflict started when Pagalan installed water pipes for barangays Tongo and Balud last August.

Reliso reportedly got mad when Pagalan failed to inform his office about the project and wanted to stop the installation for he needed to talk to Pagalan about the matter first.

Suico’s team reportedly continued to install the pipes the next day.

Reliso cited Section 27 of RA 7160 stating that “No project or program shall be implemented by government authorities unless the consultations mentioned in Section 2 (c) and 26 hereof are complied with… provided that occupants in areas where such project is to be implemented shall not be evicted unless appropriate relocation sites have been provided.”

Acting on the provision, Reliso called his plumber to disconnect the water pipes. 

But Enriquez said the “guilt of the respondents were sufficiently established.” 

Municipal Councilor Gerundio Taping manifested before the council that instead of suspension, it would be reprimand. 

Councilor Benedicto Panuncial also said the complaint was only a result of miscommunication between Pagalan and the barangay officials of Balud before the implementation of the project. 

Councilor Emmanuel Tatoy also said the case was terminated with no proper hearing and the witnesses failed to appear before the council. 

“The complainant also failed to appear and against the respondents. The complainant and the witnesses presented failed to take their oath in this August Body and also affirms and is null and void,” Tatoy said. 

The house was divided for vote. Four in favor for the suspension were Councilors Neil Enriquez, Alexander Alicaway, Vidala Loguiber, Santiago Charito-Manlosa while four who were against were Councilors Emmanuel Tatoy, Gerundio Taping, Benedicto Panuncial, and Ramulfo Sasuman. 

Since there was a tie on the vote, it was Vice Mayor Miguel Canoy, who broke the tie, and voted for the suspension of the Balud barangay officials. 

However, the suspension of Enad and his two councilmen was already referred to the Provincial Board for review before its implementation will take effect.  - THE FREEMAN