Ombudsman junks plaint against village chairman

CEBU, Philippines - The Office of the Ombudsman-Visayas dismissed the administrative complaint for misconduct filed against a barangay captain of Inayagan, Naga City, Cebu for insufficiency of evidence.

In her six-page decision, graft investigator Jane Aguilar found no evidence to hold respondent Narciso Tablate for the crime charged.

“We find no such substantial evidence. The complainant’s narration of the alleged incident is inconsistent with what was narrated by his witnesses and what was reported to the police,” the decision reads.

The complaint was filed by Kali Vulcan also known as Alejandro Ybañez Jr., assistant tribal chieftain of Tuyan Tribal Council of the Kinatas-ang Kahugpungan sa Kapupud-an Datus-Alimaong.

“His witnesses stated in their joint affidavit that Tablate was aiming his handgun towards Algarme but failed to fire it. Tablate then ran towards them aiming his gun at complainant. While in the police blotter, complainant and Algarme reported that Tablate ran towards Algarme with his hand on his waist holding his firearm (not pointing at Algarme),” she narrated.

With that, Aguilar said there was a “doubt” whether the alleged threat actually happened, adding that the act of the complainant and the respondent in shaking their hands was a gesture of good will. (FREEMAN)