Ex-Lorega worker appointed to council

The barangay council of Lorega-San Miguel has appointed a former employee of the barangay to fill in a vacancy in the council following the death of former barangay captain Lorenzo Monsanto.

Barangay captain Fritz Herrera had nominated Joan Enriquez who earned the nod of five of the eight council members, at the same time, beating another nominee, Jose Ore, who was nominated by Councilman Manuel Geniston.

Enriquez used to handle the barangay’s Clean and Green Program while Ore is the president of the barangay’s senior citizens association.

Herrera said Enriquez is fit for the post because she has a background about financial matters. It was her who filed a complaint against former barangay secretary Mely Merino for graft before the Ombudsman.

Council member Chona Magdadaro abstained from voting.

There were rumors that former barangay captain Fortunato Parawan and former barangay treasurer Rolando Maloloy-on were among the contenders to the position, but their names did not crop up during nomination.

“Maayo man lang sa wala pa ang sesyon pero atul na sa sesyon nangahadlok man maningog, mora man og na-amang,” Maloloy-on said.

Maloloy-on said Herrera reportedly does not like him because he could not be easily swayed to follow the barangay captain’s bidding.

Under the law, the barangay council shall appoint a replacement in cases of a vacancy but the nomination shall be approved by the mayor. — Rene U. Borromeo/JMO