Barangay Day-as SK head to contest her ouster

Day-as Sangguniang Kabataan chairwoman Rafonzel Quijano has vowed to remain in her post and challenge a barangay council resolution removing and replacing her with her SK first councilman.

"No. I'm not resigning from my position," Quijano said after receiving the copy of the resolution, which the barangay council had unanimously approved with the exception of her mother, barangay councilwoman Suzzette Quijano.

The barangay council declared vacant the position of SK chairperson and appointed first SK councilor Jhuniel Formentera as the new SK chairman.

The council alleged that Quijano had incurred continuous unauthorized absences from the barangay sessions since last September up to the present.

Under the Section 435 of the Local Government Code, the position of SK chairperson shall be deemed vacant if the incumbent head incurs more than three months of continuous unauthorized absences in the barangay sessions.

The council furnished to the Department of Interior and Local Government and the city council a copy of its resolution, which also states that Quijano even left Cebu to go to Manila to pursue her singing career.

Quijano admitted she already had a copy of the resolution but vowed to contest her suspension contending that her absences were covered by an excuse letter.

"I have an excuse letter. Unsa'y right nila to declare my position vacant?" the embattled Quijano questioned. - Garry B. Lao