Suspended village chief seeks review of case

CEBU, Philippines - The suspended opposition barangay captain and two councilmen in barangay Balud, San Fernando town, through their lawyer, filed a notice of appeal before the Sangguniang Panlalawigan for the review of Municipal Council Resolution No. 78 suspending them for 120 days for alleged grave abuse of authority and grave misconduct. 

Suspended by Mayor Abe Canoy are barangay Balud captain Reliso Enad and councilmen Lolita Enad and Arcadio Bacasmas.

Their suspension took effect last July 13. 

But last Wednesday afternoon, the suspended barangay officials, through their counsel Antonio Asenerio, in their notice of appeal, requested for the elevation of the record before the Office of the Provincial Board for review. 

Enad, in an interview with The Freeman, said the municipal council and the mayor relied solely on the allegation of Municipal Planning and Development Coordinator Engr. Ignacio Pagalan Jr. in relation to the installation of water pipes in their area. 

“Wala’y due process ang ilang gibuhat namo,” Enad said.

Former San Fernando mayor Lakambini “Neneth” Reluya, in a separate interview with The Freeman, said the suspension of Enad and the two councilmen is one way to harass her supporters. 

Reluya and Canoy will be facing each other in the 2013 mid-term elections.  - THE FREEMAN