Councilor seeks dismissal of plaint

CEBU, Philippines - Former barangay Pooc captain and now Talisay City Councilor Doroteo Emit has asked the city council committee on laws to dismiss the complaint filed against him by a resident over alleged abuse of power, unlawful act, and unjust act. 

Virginia Guzman filed her complaint in the Ombudsman’s office last July 24 against Emit who issued a fencing permit to a lot owner in the area, thus hindering access to her adjacent lot and those of her neighbors.

According to Guzman, the lot that was fenced was also claimed by other people, and that the case is still under litigation. 

The Ombudsman however remanded the case to the city council the case being under its jurisdiction.

“The accusations of Ms. Virginia Guzman are just a figment of her imagination and deserve scant consideration of this Honorable Council,” said Emit in his four-page reply submitted before the city council and was referred to the committee on laws. 

The vacant lot was bought by a certain Florito Caballero and that he constructed a fence in his property. But Emit maintained that his barangay issued a barangay fencing permit after Caballero complied all the requirements from the Office of the Building Official. 

While he was aware over the pending litigation case to the validity of the ownership of the property, Emit said “I explained to her that this is for the court to decide and my duty is only to ensure that Mr. Caballero complied with our requirements.” 

“Obviously, there is no truth in the allegations that I committed any unlawful, corrupt, and unjust acts,” Emit said. 

Furthermore, Emit asked the city council to conduct an ocular inspection. 

Councilor Francis Richard Aznar, chairman of the committee on laws, will meet both parties. 

Aznar said the results and recommendations will be submitted to the city council as soon as they can collate all the information.  (FREEMAN)