Ombuds rebukes brgy councilman

CEBU, Philippines - The Office of the Ombudsman-Visayas has admonished San Nicolas Councilman Alex Fernandez for humiliating the barangay tanod chief in front of many people.

Fernandez was charged with misconduct by tanod chief Nicanor Yap after the councilman berated him in front of the public. The anti-graft office however found no sufficient evidence to hold Fernandez liable of the complaint.

Nevertheless, graft investigator Llorene Grace Ompod admonished Fernandez with a stern warning that a repetition of similar offense will be dealt with more severely.

“A repetition of the same act may subject him to serious sanctions and with a reminder that he should conduct himself in a manner worthy of public official even in his private dealings with others,” the anti-graft office ruled.

Yap complained that Fernandez reprimanded him in front of the public because the latter was not informed of the monthly meeting of the tanods. According to Yap, the respondent was drunk during the incident and did not listen to his explanation that the meeting was only for the tanods and the chairman of the peace and order committee of the barangay council.

“Since respondent was not the chairman, his presence was not necessary,” Yap said.

But the councilman got irked and confronted Yap and the rest of the barangay officials. Yap added that there was also a separate incident wherein the respondent scolded him in front of the tanods and the passersby.

Fernandez admitted that there were incidents that he confronted the complainant but denied being drunk during the incident.

“Being a barangay kagawad, he should have known to select the place to confront complainant about whatever issues that concerns him so as not to place the concerned person in a bad light,” the anti-graft office ruled. – (FREEMAN)