Brgy capt, 10 others sued in Ombuds

CEBU, Philippines - For allegedly collecting fees without issuing official receipts, the barangay captain of Mambaling, Cebu City and 10 private individuals are facing charges before the Office of the Ombudsman-Visayas.

In their complaint, barangay councilmen Emier Hamis, Rodolfo Estella, Anne Marie Vestil-Palomo, Rea Laborte, Arturo Belciña and Richelle Aranas; barangay secretary Luvie Lynn Lauron; and barangay treasurer Ivy del Prado-Gabiana alleged that Barangay Captain Wilfredo Go abused his authority by allowing his new staff to collect payment for barangay clearances and permits without the complainants’ approval.

Go also allegedly allowed his staff to “make alibis and excuses” that there was no official receipt available for barangay clearance and permits.

The private respondents include Alma Rusiana, Kimberly Ross Tabalin, Camela Barriga, Alicia Andales, Inocencio Tuyugan, Bathilda dela Victoria, Lolita Millanes, Marissa Ragusta, Audrey Alcos and Alber Abecia.

Go appointed the private respondents when he assumed office to replace the staff of former barangay captain Rodolfo Estella.

But the barangay councilmen alleged that Go failed to submit to them the list of his appointees for approval.

On November 30, 2013, Go reportedly posted a notice on the wall of the Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) Building to inform all barangay employees that their services would end on that same day.

Because of the growing tension triggered by the issue of appointments, replacements and turn-over, the SB held its first session and approved a resolution to maintain status quo. The resolution, in effect, ordered the appointees of the previous barangay captain to remain and to continue working until December 31, 2013.

However, Go allegedly ignored the council’s decision and did not sign the December 9, 2013 memorandum. He also allowed his appointees to continue working even if the staff of the previous barangay captain was reporting on duty.

On Dec. 11, 2013, during a Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) conference, Cebu City Director Atty. Danilo Almendras “encouraged” Go to implement the status quo and directed him to submit the list of names of his appointees to the SB for concurrence otherwise his appointees are “ineffectual and cannot assume the position yet.”

Go and his fellow respondents will be made to file their formal answer to the complaint. — (FREEMAN)