PB lifts suspension of barangay captain

CEBU, Philippines - Majority of the members of the Provincial Board voted in favor for the reinstatement of a suspended barangay captain in Daanbantayan. The PB committee on complaints and investigation chaired by Board Member Joven Mondigo Jr. has submitted two different recommendations on the administrative appeal of suspended Bakhawan barangay captain Bernadito Luche, Jr. Mondigo and Board Member Jose Ribomapil Holganza Jr. decided to affirm en toto the decision of the Municipal Council of Daanbantayan suspending Luche for two years. But the provincial board chose to adopt the recommendation of the majority of the committee members to reduce the suspension to three months. Among those who voted to lower the penalty are Board Members Peter John Calderon, who is the vice-chairman; Arleigh Jay Sitoy, Wilfredo Caminero and Carmen Remedios Meca. Calderon’s ruling also ordered Luche to be paid his salary and other emoluments in excess of the three months that he was suspended during the pendency of the appeal. Mondigo manifested that his recommendation be attached as dissenting opinion to the PB resolution. It took more than two hours to discuss the matter that was deferred in the previous session last week. The body resolved to adopt first the recommendation of the majority of the members of the committee followed by the division of the house if the merits be adopted. Those voted for the adoption were Board Members Calderon, Caminero, Miguel Antonio Magpale, Jude Thaddeus Sybico, Thadeo Ouano, Sitoy and Carmen Remedios Meca. While those voted against Calderon’s ruling were Board Members Sergio Restauro, Cesar Ian Geronimo Zambo, Mondigo, Sun Shimura and Holganza. During the discussion, Shimura raised the question of politics in the reduction of the penalty. Shimura said he is knowledgeable about the violations committed by Luche. Those who voted in favor of Calderon’s ruling are allies of the Liberal Party of which Luche is running for councilor in the May 13 elections while those in favor of Mondigo are allies of One Cebu. Luche filed his appeal on March 27, 2012 before the PB after the Daanbantayan municipal council found him liable in four offenses he was charged with. An SB Resolution authorizing Mayor Ma. Luisa Loot to implement the decision was also passed on March 2, 2012. The suspension took effect on March 13, 2012. The Municipal Council, as a Committee of the Whole, found Luche guilty in all administrative infractions filed against him and was meted the penalty of six month suspension in each of the four counts. (FREEMAN)