IT’S STATUS QUO

“To be clear, I am still the president of the Liga (ng mga Barangay).”

Thus said beleaguered Councilor Eric Munoz last Monday before the Sanggunian Panlungsod after his fellow barangay captains whom he described as “disgruntled elements” attempted to oust him.

He said he has no plans of resigning from his post but indicated he would give way to his successor once he is legitimately elected and qualified.

“I will remain as president until my successor has been lawfully and legally elected and qualified,” said Munoz adding that it is his “first and foremost duty to protect the Liga ng mga barangays being the duly-elected president.”

Muñoz narrated to his colleagues in the city council where he is an ex-officio member, how his fellow barangay captains planned and conspired to oust him from office.

“Illegal conspiratorial plot was planned and hatched for the purpose of ousting me as president of the Liga on March 22,” Munoz said.

Muñoz was referring to the so-called special election attended by 19 barangay captains held last March 22 at the city museum where Barangay Captain Guillermo “Emong” Vallejos of Poblacion Oeste was elected as president.

“They conducted unauthorized and illegal special election for the sole purpose of removing me as president …. Where is democratic process?” Where is due process?” Muñoz asked.

The special election participated in by 19 barangay captains stemmed from a petition letter, signed by 29 barangay captains, against Munoz sometime in February. .

In that petition, Muñoz was accused of being a habitual absentee in regular and special sessions of the city council and for his failure to call regular meetings with his members in the Liga ng Barangay that would have discussed issues affecting them.

The petition-letter was forwarded to the office of National President of the Liga ng mga Barangay in the Philippines, James Marty Lim.

The barangay captains decided to hold a reorganization meeting after failing to receive any response from the national president, and notwithstanding a subsequent directive from Lim not to proceed with the planned reorganization.

“Si Eric Muñoz aliwan sakey ya aso ya depakan tan abolen (Eric Muñoz is not a dog where one can just kick and shoo him away),” Muñoz said as he denounced the barangay captains who, he said, “made mockery of the electoral process”.

Muñoz clarified “I am not clinging to my position. What I only want is a due process because we have rules and laws to follow. I will never support and countenance an illegal act.”

Muñoz said his rights are protected by laws, the constitution and by-laws of the Liga and “does not depend on the whims of some of my colleagues who are moved by malice and greed power.”

Responding to the query of Councilor Pacoy Torio, Lim confirmed to the city council that Muñoz is still the legitimate president of the Liga here, as his office did not authorize any election seeking to elect his replacement.

Lim said barangay captains did not follow the due process and pointed out that Liga has 14 grounds of removing any officer of the Liga and “loss of confidence” is not one of them.

Share your Comments or Reactions

comments

Powered by Facebook Comments