Hagonoy town council denounces solon for unruly behavior

Hagonoy, Bulacan — The Sangguniang Bayan of Hagonoy unanimously approved a resolution denouncing Bulacan Rep. Wilhelmino Sy Alvarado for sowing terror and threatening the lives of residents of Barangay Sto. Rosario during a gun-firing incident last May 25.

Resolution No. 2000-032 urges the House committee on ethics led by Rep. Antonio Abaya to probe the illegal discharge of firearms by Alvarado, which disrupted a wedding feast, causing residents to flee in panic.

Hagonoy Vice Mayor Josefina Contreras and two councilors filed the resolution yesterday with Abaya’s office. This is the second formal complaint lodged against Alvarado.

Josefino "Bujie" Manansala, an aspiring candidate for barangay captain, filed the first complaint. Manansala charged Alvarado with conduct unbecoming of a public official, oppression, threats and intimidation, grave abuse of authority, use of force and/or firearms, among other charges. Manansala claimed that Alvarado was drunk when he sat beside him at the wedding reception. The solon threatened to slam Manansala’s head on the table if the latter calls him "congressman." When Bujie replied, "How should I refer to you, Congressman?" The enraged solon grabbed him by the nape and attempted to shove his face on the table. Manansala said he fended off the solon’s arm causing the latter to lose his balance and fall to the ground.

It was then that Alvarado shouted to his bodyguards to get his gun. Witnesses said Alvarado fired an Uzi in the air sowing terror in his own barangay.

Manansala was walking home when he heard several gunshots nearby giving the impression that the solon was tailing him. A few minutes later, Alvarado and his two bodyguards appeared in front of the complainant’s home and fired their guns in the air.