Ombuds junks vendors’ plaint vs brgy captain

CEBU, Philippines - The Office of the Ombudsman in the Visayas has junked the complaint against a barangay captain in Cebu City who allegedly failed to address the concerns of public market vendors.

Lawyer Katherine Mahawan, graft investigation and prosecution officer, dismissed for lack of evidence the administrative complaints of grave misconduct, neglect of duty and oppression against Inayawan barangay captain Lotlot Soon.

“Since there is no evidence that respondent received the letter, it is understandable that no answer was made to complainants,” Mahawan stated in her decision.

The case stemmed from the complaint filed by some 18 vendors of the Inayawan Public Market.

The vendors sought assistance from Soon's office after receiving information that their stalls will be transferred to the newly-constructed Inayawan Public Market.

Soon reportedly received the vendors' letter on Feb. 8.

They sent a letter to the market administrator to discuss to them the new market's safety, installation electricity and other concerns.

But on Feb. 16, a fence was placed around the old Inayawan Public Market, forcing the vendors to transfer to the newly-built public market.

The vendors then raised their concerns to the office of Vice Mayor Edgardo Labella.

In her counter-affidavit, Soon denied having received the letter-request of the vendors.

She said the vendors were notified on Feb. 9 that they were given until Feb. 15 to transfer their stalls to the new public market.  In the decision, the anti-graft office gave weight to Soon's defense.

Mahawan noted that all public officials and employees have 15 days from receipt of the communication to respond or take appropriate action.

She found out that the vendors' letter was received by the market administrator, and not by Soon's office.

“It is stressed that the market administrator is not an alter-ego of the respondent,” said Mahawan.

Since there is no proof that Soon received the letter, the anti-graft office said that it is also understandable that no answer or action was made by the respondent relative to the vendors' concerns. (FREEMAN)