Brgy officials, with unliquidated poll expenses, may be recalled

Even if they have already assumed office, barangay officials who still have not liquidated their expenses in the last elections can still be recalled if they fail to do so as soon as possible.

The Department of Interior and Local Government sent notices early this month to elected barangay officials who failed to submit their liquidations a month after the elections.

Those sent notices by DILG are those in the list submitted to it by the Commission on Elections.

DILG’s Patricio Gabuya said today is supposed to be the deadline of submission but he noticed that there are still a few barangay officials in the city that have not met the requirement as of last Friday, the last working day of the week.

Gabuya said the submission of liquidations of election expenses is a requirement under Republic Act 6713 or the Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees. It must be complied with before an elected official assumes office.

The DILG actually has no power to sanction but it can file in court appropriate charges against erring officials and it is the court that imposes the sanction, said Gabuya, adding that the reminders sent were meant to prevent the

matter from reaching the courts. — Joeberth M. Ocao/RAE