Barangay captain sued before Ombudsman

CEBU, Philippines - Criminal and administrative complaints for alleged malversation of government property and gross misconduct were filed before the Office of the Ombudsman-Visayas against a barangay captain in Lapu-Lapu City for selling the scrap irons owned by the barangay.

Canjulao Councilor Magdalena Perodes and four other residents filed the complaint against Barangay Captain Rufo Bering before the anti-graft office last Tuesday.

The affidavits of Perodes, Marcos Delos Santos Jr., Oscar Godinez, Mario Manuel and Florencio Berame contained various irregularities allegedly committed by Bering, including the alleged selling of government property.

Manuel, a barangay tanod, alleged in his affidavit that Bering ordered a certain Eugenio Cinco in November 2008 to sell as scrap iron the metal frames of an old tent owned by the barangay.

Manuel said he even warned Bering and Cinco that they will be held accountable by the Commission on Audit if they will go on selling the metal frames. However, Manuel said the barangay captain went ahead with his order.

Perodes, on the other hand, accused Bering of being negligent in his function for allegedly not acting on her complaint that her signature which appeared on the barangay’s annual budget was forged.

According to Perodes, sometime last month, during their session, while deliberating on their annual budget, Bering manifested that she already signed the budget document.

She was surprised because she could not recall having signed any budget document prompting her to examine it.

Perodes said she found out that her supposed signature was forged. But in spite of her complaint, Bering allegedly failed to take actions.

 The other complainants also alleged that Bering established a cooperative known as “Abag Silingan, Incorporated.”

Each member of the cooperative, which has allegedly enlisted more than 4,000 members in Barangay Canjulao, are required to pay P30 membership on top of the P10 monthly dues.

Bering, as founder, allegedly promised to give P20,000 and one sack of rice to the family in case of death of the member.

But the promise was not reportedly fulfilled by Bering despite him collecting the monthly dues. — Fred P. Languido/LPM (THE FREEMAN)