Bercede, village chief face falsification raps

CEBU, Philippines — A resident of Barangay Casili, Mandaue City has accused Cebu Sixth District Provincial Board Member Glenn Bercede and Casili barangay captain Vidal Cabatingan of falsification of public documents, and violation of the Anti-graft and Corrupt Practices Act.

Edgar Catanpatan, 50, has questioned why Vidal issued a certificate of indigency to Jeanette Bercede, the wife of the board member, when she is not an indigent or a resident of Barangay Casili.

Catanpatan said that the Bercedes live in Barangay Banilad.

"Ms. Jeanette Z. Bercede was able to obtain the Certificate of Indigency from Barangay Casili despite the fact that she is neither a resident thereof nor indigent. Their political ally Vidal T. Cabatingan, the Punong Barangay of Casili aided them in the fraud against the government," reads Catanpatan's affidavit of manifestation.

Catanpatan's  complaint was received at the Office of the Ombudsman on October 4.

He added that Cabatingan already knew from the start that the Bercedes are not constituents of Barangay Casili.  Although they have a rest house in Barangay Casili, Catanpatan said they don't live there.

Based on the voter's certification of the board member's wife, her residence is 999 A.S. Fortuna Street, Banilad, Mandaue City.

The issuance of the certification of indigency is a document proving that a person is a true resident of an area that is entitled to receive assistance.

Board Member Bercede, who was a former vice mayor of the city, reportedly facilitated the request for a financial assistance from the office of Rep. Jonas Cortes.

"PB Glenn Bercede requested for the facilitation of the passage of the SP Resolution and the approval of the Financial Assistance in the amount of Fifty Thousand Pesos (P50, 000) through the utilization of the Local Government Support- Fund - Financial Assistance for Mandaue City," stated the document.

The assistance was allegedly for the hospitalization of the board member's wife.

The certification of indigency was issued last August 22 this year at the Casili Barangay Hall.

"Mr. Cabatingan and Bercede's utter and wanton disregard of their duties as public officials and in conspiracy with Mrs. Bercede clearly imply bad faith and ill motive to cause prejudice to the government," said Catanpatan.

Sought for his comment, Bercede said the complaint was politically motivated and he denied allegations that he falsified public documents.

He added that they have a house in Barangay Casili and one of his children currently lives in it.

"Murag part na na sa politics," he said, adding that downplaying his wife's present condition, who is paralyzed due to stroke since August is not good.

"Di na maayo da.  Murag mangisog na gyud ko ani kay lisud kaayo, ako asawa ilaha apilon. Matandog na atong garbo," he said.

Bercede revealed he will run for vice mayor with Rep. Jonas Cortes.

"Modagan kog balik kay gikuha kong Jonas (Cortes)," he said.

Before he became a PB member in 2016,  Bercede was vice mayor for two terms from 2010. — MBG (FREEMAN)