As cases are filed before Ombudsman DILG issues warning to Baquerfo

CEBU, Philippines - The Department of Interior and Local Government has warned Rogelio Baquerfo Sr., one of the two men claiming to be the mayor of Tudela town in Camotes Islands, that withholding the release of salaries of the local officials and employees is illegal.

DILG regional director Pedro Noval Jr., in an interview with The Freeman, said that withholding the release of their salaries of the employees and officials is against the law especially when it is used for politics.

“It is childish and immature. It is sheer harassment and intimidation, which could be the subject of appropriate administrative and criminal proceedings,” Noval said in his letter addressed to Baquerfo dated April 3. The DILG still recognizes Baquerfo as the town mayor.

Last February, Baquerfo withheld the release of the salaries of some employees, department heads and members of the council unless they would sign a manifesto recognizing him as duly elected mayor of the town.

The officials and employees have been caught in the tug-of-war between Baquerfo and Demetrio Granada, who are both claiming to the duly elected mayor of the town.

Baquerfo was declared winner in the 2007 elections but a recount by a Regional Trial Court declared Granada as the real winner.

Yesterday afternoon, a memorandum was issued to Baquerfo following a conference that was attended by Governor Gwendolyn Garcia and several town officials regarding the two-month delay in the release of salaries.

During the conference, the reports that said Baquerfo wrote the management of the Camotes Electric Cooperative to have the electrical power connection to the municipal hall cut off was also tackled.

The electric cooperative cut off the electricity connection of the municipal hall building last March 23 due to unpaid bills amounting to P102, 485.46, which covers the period from December 25, 2008 to February 26, 2009.

“We are alarmed receiving these reports. Your action is contrary to the principles of good governance. We urge you to release the salaries of the affected employees and officials and have the power supply to the municipal hall reconnected,” Noval stated in his memorandum.

Yesterday afternoon, Governor Garcia and Tudela vice mayor Clint Maratas filed administrative and criminal charges against Baquerfo and municipal treasurer Angelita Roble before the Office of the Ombudsman-Visayas.

Garcia and Maratas, executed the complaint affidavit for the purpose of filing cases of dereliction of duty, grave abuse of authority and violation of the anti-graft and corrupt practices and code and ethical standards for public officials against the two town officials.

In a three-paged complaint, provincial legal officer Marino Martinquilla said the non-release of salaries to the employees and forcing the employees to take sides in the conflict between Baquerfo and Granada have prompted them to seek legal action.

Martinquilla also said the complaint was regarding the letter signed by Baquerfo which he officially requested the electric cooperative to cut off the municipality’s electrical connections.

“That this predicament has greatly hampered the delivery of basic services to the detriment of the people of the Municipality of Tudela,” the complaint said.

The complainant pointed out that Roble has been negligent of her duty and at the behest of Baquerfo, went to hiding when the provincial treasurer went to see her supposedly to help in solving the problem of the payment of the municipality’s electric bills and employees salaries.

“The actions of Mayor Baquerfo and Angelita Roble clearly shows that they are conspiring with eact other to sabotage the day to day operation of the Municipal Government of Tudela,” the complaint reads. – Garry B. Lao/WAB   (THE FREEMAN)