For not releasing honoraria: Sinsin councilmen file complaint vs. barangay captain, treasurer

CEBU, Philippines - The barangay captain and treasurer of barangay Sinsin are facing complaints filed by three councilmen for their alleged failure to release their honoraria and leave credits while another barangay captain also complained against Mayor Michael Rama for withholding his leave benefits.

Sinsin barangay councilmen Aurelio Laspoña, Eusebia Eslanan and Lorenzo Catalogo filed a complaint before the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG-7) barangay captain Ramon Ylaya Jr. and barangay treasurer Racquel Ibones regarding the excessive delay in the release of their honoraria for the months of November and December 2012, and January of this year.

Laspoña, Eslanan and Catalogo filed a complaint for grave abuse of authority and mishandling on the processing and releasing of city-issued funds intended for the barangay officials.

The DILG has referred the complaint to the City Council for action.

In an interview with The FREEMAN, Eslanan presented a copy of the payroll which showed that their honoraria have already been encashed considering that the honoraria of the other barangay councilmen were already released.

“Ms. Racquel Ibones held on to that cash, amounting to P79, 580.50, rightfully due the members of the barangay council, without any justifiable reasons whatsoever or even making it known to us that the money is already available,” the affidavit complaint read.

Records at the city accounting office showed that Ibones already claimed and encashed the check amounting to P79, 580.50 intended for the barangay officials last November 22, December and January.

The barangay councilmen are receiving a monthly honorarium in the amount of P7, 618.67.

Eslanan said that Ibones did not inform them about the honorarium and did not release it until now.

Laspoña, Eslanan and Catalogo believe that the barangay treasurer’s moves are politically-motivated  and under the instructions of Ylaya because they are known supporters of South District Rep. Tomas Osmeña.

Meanwhile, Tejero barangay captain Jessielou Cadungog lashed out at Mayor Rama for not releasing his monetization of leave credits for the year 2012 even if his documents, such as clearances, were already made available.

One of the requirements for the leave credits is a mayor’s clearance.

Cadungog said that he already sent three follow-up letters to the mayor regarding his pending monetization of leave credits for the year 2012.

Mayor Rama’s Chief of Staff, Phillip Zafra, said the mayor will not sign Cadu-ngog’s documents until such time that he will personally visit the mayor in his office for some concerns that he wants to discuss with the barangay captain.

“It is the desire of the Mayor to see you personally on the matter. He has some concerns in your barangay, which he wants to discuss with you,” Zafra said.

But Cadungog said that his personal appearance before the mayor is not a requirement for his request citing that his leave credits have nothing to do with barangay concerns.   —/MIT (FREEMAN)