Rama recognizes, swears in officers of Lupon association

CEBU, Philippines - The city government decided to resolve the conflict between two orga-nizations of members of the Barangay Justice System by inducting the members of the League of Lupon Taga-pamayapa, one of the two warring groups.

“Many were called but few were chosen. We have an important role to play and we should do it,” Mayor Michael Rama told the newly elected officers of the group. Rama himself inducted the officers into office.

The League of Lupon Tagapamayapa headed by Rey Galas of Barangay Pahina Central has been in conflict with another group, the Liga ng mga Lupong Tagapamayapa headed by Fritz Sison of Barangay T. Padilla.

The other officers of the League of Lupon Tagapamayapa are Jose Yap, vice president for South (Pahina Central); Daylinda Visande, vice president for North (Kamputhaw); Nenita Quijano, treasurer, (Luz); Norberto Tancinco, secretary (Mabolo); George Villamor, auditor (Kamagayan); and Carlito Salazar, public information officer (Kinasang-an).

The members of the Board of Directors are Aquilino Huyo-a (Hipodromo), Emily Malto (Apas) and Romel Luis Basa (Calamba). The head of the secretariat of the Boad is Cristobal Abistado (Mabolo).

For his part, Association of Barangay Councils President and T. Padilla Barangay Captain Michael Ralota called on all members of the Barangay Justice System to set aside differences and, once and for all, stop questioning which Lupon organization is the legitimate one.

“Naghangyo ako kaninyo nga unta magkabalik ug magkauli na unya kita isip usa lang ka asosasyon o kapunongan sa mga lupon. Kay kun ugaling man aduna kita’y mga nagkasumpaki nga mga prinsipyo ug baruganan kun unsaon pagdumala ug pagpalambo sa organisasyon sa lupon, nanghinaot lang unta ako nga sa ngadto ngadto maresolbar ra gihapon ang kasungi-an,” Ralota said.

Galas and his new set of officers were elected last year with 1166 votes.

The group of Galas and other regular members of the Barangay Justice System questioned the election initiated by Sison’s group, Liga ng mga Lupon Tagapamayapa, after the latter allowed Lupon members who were not re-appointed to vote, among which were Dr. Encarnacion Dano, the past president of Liga, Jesus Cabrada, Rudy Bayno and Herchel Bataluna. They were not re-appointed during the October barangay elections. – (FREEMAN)