Poblacion Pardo barangay captains fight over padlocks

CEBU, Philippines – The conflict between the two barangay captains of Poblacion Pardo as to who is really the legal chieftain escalated yesterday after a heated argument between the two of them.

Because barangay captain Danilo Lim refused to vacate his office even after Fermin Dasmariñas was already installed by the court as the new barangay captain of Pardo last week, Dasmariñas said he is planning to change all the locks of the barangay hall.

But Lim, when interviewed by The FREEMAN warned Dasmariñas not to pursue the plan.   “Ihulog ko unya na siya sa bintana (I will throw him out the window),” Lim said.

Dasmariñas was dismayed after he saw Lim still occupying the barangay captain’s office at the second floor of the barangay hall and even signing official documents.

Dasmariñas shouted and called Lim a traitor because the latter did not comply with his promise when he was officially installed by the court sheriff as the new barangay captain last Thursday.

“Ikaw maoy traydor kay konsehal ka, gikuha gani nako ang imong anak nga barangay secretary apan giatbangan ko nimo ug dili ka maghuwat nga duna nay official nga kamandoan sa Comelec,” Lim countered.

Acting Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama said because Dasmariñas already took his oath of office before acting vice mayor Hilario Davide III, the city will only recognize the official transactions entered into by Dasmariñas.

But Lim said it is alright because the barangay is not depending on the city and the salaries of its 80 workers do not need the approval of the City Hall officials.

Lim’s counsel Ervin Estandarte is presently in Manila to follow up their urgent motion for reconsideration hoping that the Comelec en banc will resolve the issue in their favor.

While Lim’s appeal to the court’s decision declaring him loser of the 2007 barangay elections in Pardo was denied by the Comelec in Manila, Lim said he had filed a motion for reconsideration saying it was not true that he filed the appeal beyond the prescribed period.

Lim said he is ready to step down as barangay captain if Dasmariñas, who happens to be his kumpare, can show him an order issued by the Comelec-Manila.

Estandarte said Municipal Trial Court in Cities Judge Anatalio Necessario has already lost jurisdiction of the case after it was appealed before the Comelec, which is why he did not honor the court’s order installing Dasmariñas as the barangay captain. — Rene U. Borromeo/BRP (THE FREEMAN)