Same rules called on council probe

CEBU, Philippines - A Cebu City councilor has proposed an ordinance prescribing uniform rules and procedures when the City Council investigates administrative complaints against elective officials.

City Councilor Gerardo Carillo said that there is a need to pass the uniform rules on the conduct of investigation since Office of the Ombudsman-Visayas denied the request of Vice Mayor Edgardo Labella to allow the council to inhibit from investigating barangay officials.

Deputy Ombudsman for the Visayas Paul Elmer Clemente said the City Council has the disciplinary authority over erring barangay officials.

“There is a need to pass a uniform rules on the conduct of investigation nga dili lang kinahanglan gyod tagaan og due process ang tanang mo-file og complaint, naa gyoy proseso,” Carillo said.

Under the proposed measure, the “City Mayor and the Sangguniang Panglungsod as a quasi-judicial body shall be designated as the disciplining authority in the conduct of investigation against erring elective barangay officials.”

The City Council will act as the investigating authority, through the establishment of a Committee of Three, to verify and investigate the complaints filed against erring barangay officials.

The Local Chief executive will implement the disciplinary actions as voted by the majority of the present members of the City Council.

The grounds for disciplinary actions as stipulated under the proposed measure are disloyalty to the Republic of the Philippines, culpable violation of the constitution, dishonesty, oppression, misconduct in office, gross negligence or dereliction of duty, commission of any offense involving moral turpitude or an offense punishable by the at least prision mayor, among others. — (FREEMAN)