After losing council bid, suspended Daanbantayan barangay chief

CEBU, Philippines - While he lost in his bid for town councilor last elections, a suspended barangay captain in Daanbantayan reassumed his position after he was reinstated following the decision of the majority of the members of the Cebu Provincial Board to lower his penalty to three months.

The Department of Interior and Local Government re-installed Bernardito Luche, Jr. as barangay captain of Bakhawan, Daanbantayan effective May 24, 2013.

On March 18, majority of the members of the PB voted in favor for the reinstatement of Luche despite the recommendation of the committee on complaints and investigation chaired by Board Member Joven Mondigo Jr. affirming en toto the decision of the Sangguniang Bayan of Daanbantayan.

Luche told The Freeman that when DILG representatives served the order, it was smooth and with no resistance from the camp of acting barangay captain Veronico Espinosa, his political rival.

He said that DILG representatives explained well the order including Mayor Ma. Luisa Loot.  

Earlier, at the height of the campaign of the local candidates for the May 13 elections, Luche tried to take over the barangay but he was reportedly barred by Loot’s men.

Luche run for councilor under the Liberal Party, incidentally allied with the majority of the PB members who lowered his penalty.

Loot of Nacionalista Party allied with One Cebu Party lost to mayor-elect Augusto Corro of LP.

The SB of Daanbantayan still has a pending motion for reconsideration filed before the PB last April 29, 2013.

An SB found Luche guilty in all administrative infractions filed against him and was meted the penalty of six month suspension in each of the four counts.

An SB Resolution authorizing Loot to implement the decision was passed on March 2, 2012. The suspension took effect on March 13, 2012.

Luche filed his appeal on March 27, 2012 before the PB after the SB of Daanbantayan found him liable for four offenses he was charged with.

Mondigo’s committee submitted two different recommendations on the administrative appeal of Luche.

Mondigo and Board Member Jose Ribomapil Holganza Jr. decided to affirm en toto the decision of the Municipal Council of Daanbantayan suspending Luche for two years but the provincial board chose to adopt the recommendation of the majority of the committee members to reduce the suspension to three months.

Among those who voted to lower the penalty are Board Members Peter John Calderon, who is the vice-chairman; Arleigh Jay Sitoy, Wilfredo Caminero and Carmen Remedios Meca.

Calderon’s ruling also ordered Luche to be paid his salary and other emoluments in excess of the three months that he was suspended during the pendency of the appeal.— (FREEMAN)