Para Noel. Asa ka man pre?" ni Michael Damayo, kanhi barangay kapitan sa baryo Jaramillo. Nangutana dayon si Michael karong buntaga pagsakay ni Noel Penaflor sa dyip depasaheroan nga nihunong. Nilingkod si Noel atbang ni Michael, duol sa luyo sa drayber.
Niarangkada ang dyip. "Adto ko sa City Hall pre kay duna koy tuyo ni Konsehal Allan Larrobis. Di ba abogado man na siya?" ni Noel. "O. Abogado na siya, pre" ni Michael. Nagkakumpare sila dihang gipakugos ni Noel si Michael, sa bunyag sa kamaguwangang anak ni Noel. Si Michael ang nagtudlo ni Noel nga mahimong miyembro sa Lupon sa ilang barangay.
Sa niaging eleksiyon, napildi si Michael ni Richard Dagoc. Si Richard na karon ang kasamtangang barangay kapitan. "Mangayo kag pinaskohan sa abogado?" ni Michael. "Dili. Naa lang koy ikunsulta" ni Noel. Gitunol sa kumpare ang sulat pinirmahan ni Noel, aron mabasa sa higala. Nagkanayon ang sulat:
"As a duly appointed member of the Lupon in barangay Jaramillo, I would like to report to you an incident which concerns the Local Government Code. I received from the newly elected Barangay Captain Richard Dagoc, a notice of termination dated December 4, 2010 to take effect on December 6, 2010. Upon receipt of the same, I realized that the act of the barangay captain is a violation of the Code in question and thus, null and void. Copy of the notice is herewith attached for ready reference.
It appears that the act of said barangay captain was violative of two provisions of the Local Govt. Code, such as:
1) "Upon approval by a majority of all the members of the sangguniang barangay, appoint or replace the barangay treasurer, the barangay secretary, and other appointive barangay officials;" (sec. 389) (5), RA 7160) (Power of the Punong Barangay)
2) "Upon appointment, each lupon member shall take an oath of office before the punong barangay. He shall hold office until a new lupon is constituted on the third year following the appointment unless sooner terminated by resignation, transfer of residence or place of work, or withdrawal of appointment by the punong barangay with the concurrence of the majority of all the members of the lupon." (Sec. 400.RA 7160) (Oath and term of office of Lupon)
As shown from the said notice, such termination of my office as Lupon member, was without the approval of majority of sangguniang barangay members nor lupon members. To my humble analysis of the law, the said barangay captain is guilty of gross ignorance of the law or violation of the law, that may subject him to administrative sanctions by a higher office or the Ombudsman.
This report, may serve as a complaint or inquiry, depending upon the authority, power and function of your office, whether what action or recommendation you can make on this letter.
Your giving prompt and kind attention on this communication, will be highly appreciated.
"Matay! Gi-terminate diay kas bag-ong kapitan? Malagoso gyud siya ini! Pagan pa ang mga konsehal" ni Michael. "Mao ba, pre?" ni Noel. "Haiy maayog ako lang unang kombinsihon ang kapitan nga ipakanselar imong termination?" ni Michael. "Maayo sab. Di lang ko gustong sayonsayonon og terminate. Ipaagi gyud niyas legal nga proseso" ni Noel. "Diin man ka ining balaora imong gisitar?" ni Michael. "Nalimot diay ka pre nga barrister man ko? Wa lang kapasar sa bar" ni Noel. "Husto. Para, Dong. Di lang una mi molahos sa City Hall" ni Michael. "Sa City Hall sab diay unta ka?" ni Noel. "Adto unta gihapon kong konsehal Larrobis. Mangayog pinaskohan. Apan puwede mag sunod adlaw nalang na. Ang importante masulbad imong problema nga way opisyales sa barangay nga mananggig mais way puso" ni Michael. Nihunong ang dyip. (Kataposan) (Sa magbabasa nga gusto’g libreng konsulta, dad-a ning pahina sa opisina sa tagsulat. Iatol og Sabado)