ASINGAN–For attempting to enforce a barangay ordinance, the kapitan of Barangay Carosucan Sur in this town has been suspended for misconduct by the Office of the Deputy Ombudsman for Luzon, but fellow officials and members of the community are crying foul over the decision.

Barangay Chairman Gem Salvador Sapigao, 36, said the Ombudsman’s decision suspending him for one month without pay is politically motivated.

The suspension stems from an administrative charge filed against him by Margarita de Guzman, Regina de Guzman and Cesar de Guzman for misconduct/abuse of authority when they allegedly

Salvador, who also heads the Liga ng mga Barangay here and sits in the municipal council as representative for the barangay sector, said some local officials may feel threatened about some of the projects he has been carrying out which benefit communities outside his own barangay.

The members of the barangay council, tanod, Barangay Health Workers, Civilian Volunteers Organization, Sangguniang Kabataan, Barangay Treasurer and Secretary, and the Lupon Tagapamayapa have filed a mass leave as a show of support to Sapigao.

“It’s unfortunate because of their mass leave, operation in the barangay including delivery of services is paralyzed,” Sapigao said.

Some 400 residents have also held protest action against the suspension order in front of the municipal hall on August 19.

ORDINANCE

Sapigao said the complaint was on account of his implementation of an ordinance prohibiting drinking of liquor and use of videoke machine after 7:00 p.m.

The complainants, who defied the ordinance on January 30, 2008, were told off by the barangay officials led by Sapigao but the incident led to physical violence between them

The complainants then filed a criminal complaint for attempted homicide against Sapigao, who, in turn, charged the complainants with public scandal.

“It appearing, however, that there was provocation and an act of defiance shown by the complainants on the authority of the respondent as their barangay chairman, we can only hold the respondent liable for simple misconduct,” says the order signed by Maria Fatima Pepinas-Neri, graft investigation and prosecution officer I with recommending approval by Joaquin Salazar, acting director of evaluation and investigation office Bureau A and Victor Fernandez, deputy Ombudsman for Luzon.#

Back to Homepage

Share your Comments or Reactions

comments

Powered by Facebook Comments