DILG intercession needed in barangay Pooc in Talisay

CEBU, Philippines - One seat in Pooc barangay council of Talisay City has remained vacant for more than seven months now reportedly because the incumbent barangay chief wants his wife to fill the void but the majority of the members of the council disagree with the idea.

Barangay captain Dory Emit admitted having endorsed his wife to the position left vacant by Osmundo Manreal Jr. who resigned last March, but did not insist on it when it did not get the approval of the majority of the council.

"Mas okay man sad nga bakante lang para makatipid ang barangay. Kay kung naay molingkod ana nga pwesto isip konsehal pero pulpol sad, anugon lang ang P120,000 kada tuig," said Emit in an interview. A barangay Pooc councilman receives a monthly honorarium of not less than P10,000.

Emit said his wife is now his chief of staff in the barangay, hence, he did not have to force the council to accept her to fill in the vacated post.

Emit, who used to be of the opposition party when he ran for city councilor in May 2010 and barangay chief of Pooc on October 2010 elections, switched parties shortly after his proclamation in the latest election.

The move reportedly did not get him the allegiance of most of his new partymates, especially in Pooc where Manreal ruled for nine years as barangay chief.

Manreal is reportedly Emit's archenemy.

According to a source who refused to be named, Manreal's group, which still holds Pooc council's majority bloc, is pushing for another candidate, but did not get Emit's nod.

Emit said if the Department of the Interior and Local Government would not prevent it, he would leave the post vacant until the next barangay election comes, "so the P120,000 per year would go to basic services instead." He said he has already consulted the city councilors about it and they reportedly approved of his idea.

A DILG memorandum circular, however, states that there will be a vacuum of leadership if the barangay council, wherein Emit is the presiding officer, will not agree and can not come up with a replacement. (FREEMAN)