Council urged: Enforce order vs Mambaling barangay captain

CEBU, Philippines — Due to the alleged refusal of suspended Mambaling Barangay Captain Gines Abellana to leave his post, Acting Village Chief Anne Marie Vestil Palomo has sought the intervention of the Cebu City Council.

In a letter dated January 25, Palomo informed the legislative body of the continuous assumption of Abellana of the office amid his suspension order.

Last January 8, the City Council’s committee of three in the north district has suspended Abellana for 24 months for allegedly not releasing the honoraria of Palomo and three other barangay councilors from July to December 2018.

The suspension stemmed after Palomo, Edwil Managbanag, Victoriano Laborte and Neonita Cuestas filed an abuse of authority complaint against Abellana.

“However, up to now, Mambaling Punong Barangay Abellana openly defies the decision of this august body by continuing to exercise the functions of the office concerned and preventing the undersigned to take over,” read a portion of the letter.

In a separate interview, Abellana just said that he sought the opinion of the DILG-central office about the matter.

“(It’s) useless endeavor because my suspension and her oathtaking is already in the hands of DILG-Manila,” Abellana said.

Palomo has cited several instances where Abellana continue to hold office despite his suspension.

Among these include the incident during the regular session asking Palomo to vacate the position since she is not “properly installed,” issuance of barangay clearances and certificate of indigence to at least nine constituents.

Palomo added that Abellana are holding meetings with barangay workers, posting memorandum detailing that Palomo is an “unofficial” acting barangay captain and sending a letter to the Land Bank of the Philippines where the funds of the barangay is deposited, among others.

“In view of this, the undersigned asked for an immediate action from this Honorable Sangguniang Panglungsod to implement its decision,” Palomo’s letter added.

The said letter was copy furnished to lawyer Ian Kenneth Lucero, regional director of the Department of the Interior and Local Government; Emma Joyevelyn Calvo, DILG-Cebu City officer-in-charge; and Paul Elmer Clemente, Deputy Ombudsman for the Visayas.

Palomo told The FREEMAN that she went to the Office of the Ombudsman-Visayas last Thursday asking for advice, but an anti-graft officer told her to furnish their office of her letter.

She said she wanted to file a usurpation of authority complaint against Abellana to put an end to this issue.

“We are starting to gather all evidences, I think we already have enough. I will see what SP’s decision would be by Tuesday,” Palomo said.

Tomorrow, the legislative body is expected to deliberate on the matter where Palomo might attend to witness the discussion. (FREEMAN)