Isko, 14 others face graft, usurpation raps

MANILA, Philippines — Manila Mayor Isko Moreno and 14 other city officials are facing charges of graft and usurpation of authority for the alleged illegal ousting of former mayor Honey Lacuna’s sister.

In a complaint filed yesterday before the ombudsman, Leilani Lacuna accused city officials of unlawfully removing her as Liga ng mga Barangay president and ex-officio councilor.

“This did not go through due process. I am the ex-officio of the City Council of Manila because I am the legitimate league president. I was removed and this is what I am fighting for now,” Lacuna, chairperson of Barangay 609 in Sta. Mesa, said.

In their attempt to remove her from office, Lacuna recalled city officials citing her alleged misuse of her travel authority, as well as city council inquiries into her performance and a meeting with Vice Mayor Chi Atienza, where Lacuna was allegedly pressured to resign.

Lacuna claimed that there had been efforts to influence barangay leaders to withdraw their support.

“At (last month’s) general assembly, we were dismissed from our positions. There, they said that all positions in the league were vacant. In reality, no one can dismiss us because the Manila (league) is under the national league in the Philippines,” Lacuna maintained.

“Moreno and his cohorts targeted barangay captains using intimidation and harassment to remove me from office,” she added.

Lacuna also accused the city officials of holding a political grudge and attempting to seize control of Manila’s barangay funding.

Before yesterday’s filing, Lacuna and five other barangay captains had petitioned a Manila court to nullify their removal from the Liga ng mga Barangay, including her expulsion as ex-officio representative of Manila’s 897 barangays.

In response, the Manila city government said Moreno has yet to receive a copy of the complaint.

“The city government respects the will of 844 out of 896 barangay chairpersons who, among themselves, voted in favor of the new set of officers of the Liga ng mga Barangay. Such participation marks a historic turnout,” city hall said.