CEBU, Philippines — A warrant of arrest was issued against the barangay captain of Cogon Ramos in Cebu City for the offense of anti-graft and corruption practices.
In a document obtained by The Freeman, the warrant has been slapped against Cogon Ramos barangay captain Omar Durano for violation of Republic Act 3019 also known as The Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices.
The warrant, which was issued by Judge Merlomasco Bagano on October 6, 2023, recommended a bail of P90,000.
Last year, Durano was suspended for six months without pay for allowing payment of honorarium to a barangay tanod who was in jail.
The Office of the Ombudsman-Visayas, in a decision dated May 12, 2022, found Durano and the late barangay treasurer Vicente Fajardo guilty of administrative infraction of gross neglect of duty.
Durano was accused of having allowed paying P8,000 representing the four-month honorarium of the said barangay tanod who was found to be serving a jail term in 2018.
In a phone interview with The Freeman yesterday, Durano refused to divulge any details on the warrant leaving an unclear line if he had already posted bail or was arrested in the first place.
“Wala ra na (warrant). Dili lang ko mo comment ana,” said Durano. — (FREEMAN)