LINGAYEN–By a vote of 11-4 and after a heated floor debate, the Sangguniang Panlalawigan declared Roger Erpelo, a hog trader from Barangay Baloling, Mapandan, as persona non grata in Pangasinan for bringing in 60 hogs afflicted with African Swine Fever (ASF) from Bulacan into the province.

The 15 SP members voted on the resolution filed by Fourth District Board Member Jeremy Agerico Rosario in reaction to the report of the African Swine Fever Focal Team of the Department of Agriculture Field Office No. 1 that the ASF in Pangasinan was about to be contained.

Erpelo was slammed for his action despite the executive order of Gov. Amado Espino III imposing a temporary total ban on swine from Rizal and Bulacan.

As a result, 92 hogs owned by other hog raisers, all within the one-kilometer radius from ground zero in Barangay Baloling, were forcibly seized, culled and buried en mass at a common grave dug by a buck hoe.

Rosario pointed out that the resolution was merely an expression of the sentiment of the august body on the action and ill-motive of Erpelo.     

Fourth District BM Liberato Villegas and Third District BM Angel Baniqued Jr. added their opposition to Second District BM Von Mark Mendoza and Third District BM Veci Ventanilla who argued that a native-born citizen should never be banned or unwelcome in his own town and province.       

Mendoza said being charged in two cases before the Provincial Prosecutors’ Office in Dagupan City should suffice.

Sixth District BM Noel Bince, countered saying the cases filed in court against Erpelo are distinct and separate from whatever actions the Sanggunian Panlalawigan may deem it proper against him for being “ungrateful to the province.”

Fifth District BM Chinky Perez Tababa said the resolution is similar to the one initiated against PSU president Dexter Buted, who was declared persona non grata even if a case against him was filed before the Ombudsman.

Majority Floor Leader Nestor Reyes initially opposed the resolution but he eventually relented and joined the majority.

Vice Governor and SP presiding Officer Mark Lambino ruled that the declaration of persona non grata to a person is a legitimate action “to voice out the sentiment of the people. “ (Leonardo Micua)

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