Guimaras Officials Face Show Cause Over Festival Tarpaulin

By Mariela Angella Oladive

The Provincial Legal Office of Guimaras has issued a show cause order to three Barangay Hoskyn officials in Jordan over allegations of obstructing the installation of a Manggahan Festival 2025 promotional tarpaulin near the roll-on/roll-off (RoRo) port on April 17.

In the revised order dated April 22 and addressed to Punong Barangay Rolyn Faith D. Sayo, Kagawad Carmeline De La Puerta and tanod George Melanio, Provincial Legal Officer Atty. Jose Ricsan Galvez Tormon alleged that the officials “appeared to have confederated and acted together” to intimidate and prevent personnel from the Provincial Government Services Office (PGSO) from installing the tarpaulin.

The site in question is a vacant lot adjacent to the Provincial Law Enforcement and Public Safety Task Force (PLEPSTF) outpost.

It is reportedly owned by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) but falls within the jurisdiction of Barangay Hoskyn.

The show cause order cited Section 481(b)(3)(iv) of the Local Government Code of 1991, which authorizes the provincial legal officer to investigate administrative neglect or misconduct by local officials.

The barangay officials were given three days from receipt of the order to explain in writing why administrative charges should not be filed against them.

In a joint response dated April 22 and posted on the official Facebook page of Barangay Hoskyn, the officials denied any wrongdoing.

They clarified that Sayo was on approved leave and was not present at the site during the incident.

They also stated that De La Puerta was not involved in any capacity and called her alleged implication “factually incorrect and unsupported by any verified evidence.”

The barangay representatives said their actions were carried out in good faith and aimed at ensuring that proper procedures and permits were in place and that public order would not be disrupted.

They asserted that the area remains under their jurisdiction in accordance with Section 391(a) of Republic Act 7160.

They also requested a copy of the “verified information” referenced in the show cause order, citing due process concerns, and asked that the allegations be dismissed for lack of factual and legal basis.

“At no point was the PGSO prevented from proceeding with the installation. What was requested was dialogue and proper coordination, not obstruction,” the officials said in their statement.

The barangay officials expressed their commitment to working with the provincial government to promote peace, order and cultural development.