Engr: Probe mayor's 'secretary'

CEBU, Philippines - An engineer of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) has asked Barili Vice Mayor Marlon Garcia to investigate a town employee assigned at the mayor’s office for allegedly harassing and threatening him and his staff.

District Engr. James Dellosa of the DPWH 3rd Engineering Office made the request in a letter to Garcia. He identified the employee as Vicente “Bebot” Villarin.

“We need to clarify the issues and allegations of Mr. Villarin, hence this request to your Honorable Council,” Dellosa’s letter reads.

Dellosa said Villarin reportedly called him and his staff, Assistant District Engineer Reynaldo Navales and Construction Engineer Romeo Golle, over the phone for separate meetings last January 18, 2012.

Dellosa said Villarin appeared to be under the influence of liquor when he made the phone calls.

For one, Dellosa said Villarin allegedly accused his staff that the Livestock Auction project in Barangay Mantalongon would be issued a closure order because it was undertaken without coordination from the mayor’s office.

“Likewise, he called me up with a tune of insult that we started the project without coordination to the Barili Local Government Unit, and of which he said that the project lot has been purchased by the Mayor,” Dellosa’s letter reads.

Villarin also allegedly said that the project was overpriced and would be brought to the attention of the Office of the Ombudsman so that the engineers involved would be put to prison.

Villarin allegedly threatened further to replace all the engineers of the 3rd District Engineering Office if Cebu City South District Rep. Tomas Osmeña would win in next year’s elections.

“Lasing siya. Hindi na niya alam ang kanyang mga pinagsasasabi,” Dellosa said.

Dellosa has been with the 3rd District Engineering Office for five years now.

In response to the threats, Dellosa said he told Villarin to put his allegations into writing.

Dellosa said the Municipal Council requested Villarin to appear before its office last Thursday but Villarin reportedly did not heed the request for unknown reasons.

Villarin, who claimed to be a secretary to the mayor, was found to be working only on a job order basis, Dellosa said.

It is no secret that Barili Mayor Teresito Mariñas and Garcia are not in good terms, but Dellosa said he does not want his office to be caught up in the political scuffle. 

Dellosa, in an interview with The FREEMAN, explained that the project is being implemented through the Priority Development Assistant Fund extended by Third District Rep. Pablo John Garcia so it need not be confided with the mayor. — (FREEMAN)