Councilmen sue brgy captain, ex-treasurer

CEBU, Philippines - For their alleged failure to comply with the requirements of the Commission on Audit resulting in the deferment of encashment of checks, a Cebu City barangay captain and former treasurer were sued before the Office of the Ombudsman-Visayas.

The complainants, who are councilmen of Barangay Sambag 1, said the services, as well as their honoraria were affected when barangay captain Lemar Alcover and former barangay treasurer Connie Abella failed to submit the needed document to COA.

“The deferment of encashment of checks in Barangay Sambag 1, Cebu City, has greatly affect the services and interest of the barangay which resulted to, among others, the disconnection of basic utilities in the barangay hall and the failure to give honoraria of all barangay employees and officials,” read the letter-complaint.

Councilmen Jaime Lacuna, Ramon Rama, Lyza Khrizelle Bacaltos, Khristie Ann Canares and Nestor Tallo said Alcover and Abella violated Section 3 of Republic Act 3019, otherwise known as the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act.

“The acts of the respondents (Lemar and Abella) in this case are truly improper and illegal in that being a public officers ‘they shall, at all times, respect the rights of others and shall refrain from doing acts contrary to law, good morals, good customs, public policy, public order, public safety and public interest,” the complaint further read.

On August 10, 2015, the complainants said the COA advised the manager of a bank branch in Plaza Independencia to defer the encashment of checks issued by Barangay Sambag 1 until further notice.

Despite the directive from COA, Alcover and Abella allegedly failed to submit a Punong Barangay Certification (PBC) for the months of February to June 2015.

On July 14, 2015, COA reminded Alcover of the document, but he still allegedly failed to comply in connivance with Abella, who failed to provide the required liquidation.

“Worse, no justifiable and valid reason has been offered and provided by Brgy. Captain Lemar Alcover why the PBCs could not be complied,” the councilmen said.

The FREEMAN tried to contact Alcover through his mobile number, but he could not be reached for his comment.  (FREEMAN)