Umapad councilwoman defends non-payment of workers’ honoraria

CEBU, Philippines — Councilwoman Libertine Lumapas of Barangay Umapad, Mandaue City insists that her continued refusal to sign the payroll of five job order employees, resulting in the non-payment of their honorarium since January, is within the bounds of the law.

Lumapas was reacting to the criminal and administrative complaints filed against her by the five workers before the Office of the Ombudsman.

“The issue at hand arose due to the irregularities in the appointment of the said workers by the Punong Barangay and delays on their compliance of the requirements which are mandated by the Commission on Audit,” said Lumapas

As chairperson of the committee on appropriations, Lumapas said she is confident that her actions were in accordance with the law.  Job order workers Gemma Mata Ortega, Girlie Reyes Gabisan, Lea Gabisan Jimenez, Lima Sotchesa Organ, and Erwina Batulan sought the anti-graft office’s intervention on May 30, 2024 after they have not been paid their honorarium since January because of Lumapas’ refusal to sign their payroll.

They asked the Ombudsman to place Lumapas under six months preventive suspension while their complaints are being heard.

According to the complainants, Lumapas refused to release their honorarium at P5,000 each per month from January to April, 2024. Despite the availability of funds, Lumapas allegedly did not sign the payroll.

Umapad Barangay Captain Ren Cortes had already sought the opinion of the city budget officer, Atty. Giovanni Tianero, who favored the release of the honorarium of the workers even using the barangay’s reenacted budget.

The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) also issued a similar opinion in favor of the workers. But, Lumapas is allegedly demanding several supporting documents such as the daily time record (DTR) and appointment papers.

The complainants said they have complied with the documents but Lumapas demanded additional requirements after they have submitted the first set of documents required from them.

They said Lumapas is now requiring them to submit their oath of office and proof of concurrence of the appointment by the majority of the members of Sangguniang Barangay. The barangay captain had already requested Lumapas to sign their payroll but the latter was adamant. 

Lumapas’ requiring them to submit additional documents is abusive and oppressive, according to the complainants. They said the councilwoman already encroached the appointing authority of the barangay captain.

The complainants added that Lumapas has gravely abused her authority just because she and the barangay captain do not belong to the same political camp. She is allegedly confident that the complainants could not get the confirmation of the majority of the members of the council because the barangay captain only has one councilor allied with him.

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

Earlier, Lumapas and five other councilors-- Avelino Alilin, Ronnes Agacita, Sarah Jean Candazo, Bernardo Baylon, Jr. and Sangguniang Kabataan chairperson Kurtlouie Largo-- also filed administrative and criminal complaints before the Ombudsman against the barangay captain and barangay treasurer April Melody Fernandez.

They accused Cortes and Fernandez of violating Republic Act 3019 Section 3(e) and of R.A. 6713 or Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees for alleged Grave Misconduct and Conduct unbecoming of a Public Official for their refusal to pay and release the honoraria of all barangay officials and personnel of the barangay.

“Our honoraria and that of all other barangay officials and personnel of Barangay Umapad, Mandaue City from January to April 2024 were not released on time and were only released in the second week of May 2024,” they claimed. (CEBU NEWS)