Chieftain pushes own firm, sued

CEBU, Philippines - For endorsing the permit application of his own company, a Cebu City barangay captain and six of his councilors are facing a complaint before the Office of the Ombudsman-Visayas.

The complainants said what the barangay officials did constitute conflict of interest and showed conduct unbecoming of public officials.

They requested the anti-graft office “to immediately issue a preventive suspension order against all respondents to deny them…the opportunity to use their positions to harass the herein complaints (and) witnesses, and (to) suppress evidence”.

In their complaint, Kalunasan residents Reil Tanudtanud, Jefferson Lapori, Christopher Timplado, Valentin Roca and James Roca alleged that Barangay Captain Nunilon Monares Jr. connived with Barangay Councilors Carlitos Ceniza, Marvin Leyson, Ledesma Tamayo, Nestor Gabunada, and Sangguniang Kabataan Chairperson Agnes Marie Monares in favoring Monares and Sons Realty and Development, Inc.

According to the complainants, the barangay council, which Monares heads as presiding officer, approved last Aug. 3 a resolution endorsing to the Cebu City Zoning and Planning Board the company’s application of preliminary approval for locational clearance and site development permit.

The barangay captain is the registered owner of Monares and Sons based on tax payments records with the City Treasurer’s Office.

The company is developing Villa Monares Subdivision in Upper Kalunasan and needs a locational clearance and site development permit that should be endorsed by the concerned barangay council.

“Respondent Monares’ act, in connivance with the other respondents, of endorsing his own company to be given a permit, clearly constitutes…conflict of interest,” read the complaint.

For what they allegedly did, Monares and the other respondents are facing  complaints for gross misconduct; conduct unbecoming of a public official; violation of Republic Act (RA) 6713, or the Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials; and violation of Section 3(a) and (e) of RA 3019 known as Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act.

In particular, Monares is accused of “persuading, inducing or influencing the other respondents to perform an act constituting a violation of rules and regulations duly promulgated by competent authority”.

The FREEMAN tried to reach the concerned Kalunasan officials by calling the barangay hall yesterday afternoon for their comments but they were not around.

“Captain Monares is not here.  He went to the Cebu City Hall for important matters,” Barangay Administrator Policarpio Bolante said in Cebuano.  (FREEMAN)