Political tension in Brgy Sambag 1: No pay for workers; no electricity, water

CEBU, Philippines - For almost three months, over 90 employees of Barangay Sambag 1, including eight barangay officials, have not received their salary and operations of the barangay have reportedly been compromised.

Barangay Captain Lemar Alcover  told The FREEMAN that aside from the salary, their operations have also been affected because the barangay council did not authorize the new barangay treasurer to withdraw funds to pay for the salary of the staff and for the payment of the barangay’s electric and water bills.

Alcover said the council did not concur to his move to appoint Connie Abella to replace Filomeno Chuntik as treasurer.

Five out of seven councilmen reportedly questioned Abella’s appointment because it did not have their approval.

Chuntik has been treasurer of the barangay for 15 years.

However, Alcover said the Department of Interior and Local Government and the Office of the Ombudsman-Visayas have ruled that he did not violate any law when he terminated Chuntik. (FREEMAN)