Rupinta, 7 others told to answer complaint

CEBU, Philippines - After receiving a copy of their preventive suspension order two weeks ago, Ermita Barangay Captain Felicisimo "Imok" Rupinta and seven barangay councilmen last Friday were asked by the Office of the Ombudsman-Visayas to answer the criminal and administrative complaints filed by the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA)-7 against them.

In an interview with THE FREEMAN, Rupinta said he could not fathom why he was not given a copy of the complaint when PDEA-7 filed it against all the barangay officials.

"Nganong karon paman ni nga mag-una unta ni siya sa suspension order?  Pero patumanon ra gihapon mis among abogado," he said.

Last year, PDEA 7 operatives filed the case against all barangay officials after they reportedly failed to assist the drug enforcement agency in an anti-drug operation conducted in their barangay.

The Department of Interior and Local Government-7 is still asking clearance from its central office to implement the six-month preventive suspension against Rupinta and all barangay councilmen.

"Naka-file na mi og motion for reconsideration sa decision. Pero motubag mi sa Ombudsman kay giingnan mi sa among abogado para dili makakita og lusot sila ma-technical mi," he said.

Rupinta said the barangay officials will also seek a temporary restraining order (TRO) from a higher court to stop the DILG from implementing the suspension order.

He added he is just hoping that they could get the TRO and the court would grant the petition for certiorari of their case before the Office of the President could appoint someone to take over the barangay.

Earlier, Cebu City Mayor Tomas Osmeña has recommended Senior Police Officer 1 Adonis Dumpit, former city councilor Augustus "Jun" Pe Jr., and incumbent Tejero Barangay Captain Jessilou Cadungog to act as caretaker of the barangay, once the preventive suspension against all barangay officials is implemented.

Rupinta also said all barangay workers will resign from their posts if the Office of the President would pick any of the three names Osmeña has recommended.

"Mass resignation gyod na. Wala mi nanghadlok.  Kagustuhan nas mga empleyado sa barangay," Rupinta said.

He also said a DILG official should be the caretaker of the barangay just like what happened in the Municipality of Compostela, Cebu before when all the officials got suspended.

DILG-7 Director Rene Burdeos, for his part, said he cannot stop these barangay workers from resigning.

"Wala tay mahimo ana pero tan-awon pa na sa Civil Service kun liable ba sila," he said, adding that the resignation is voluntary in nature.

In a separate interview, Civil Service Commission-7 chief personnel specialist Prolaine Daclan said barangay workers, who are mostly job order workers, are not covered by CSC law and rules.

"So far, we don't have career employees in the barangays," she said.  (FREEMAN)