Kagawad admits taking pay despite skipping sessions

By Felipe V Celino

ROXAS CITY, Capiz — A barangay kagawad in Barangay Balogo, Pilar, admitted receiving honoraria despite not attending regular sessions last year.

Kagawad Angelo Buyo told media he received his October and November honoraria last year even though he did not attend the sessions.

He said he sent an excuse letter in October because he was sick, but he forgot to affix his signature on the document.

Buyo said he later learned that Diana Deseo, a store owner to whom he has a pending debt, signed the letter, and that a certain Marites signed another letter for the November honorarium.

Cheryl Tacda, provincial director of the Department of the Interior and Local Government in Capiz, said it is not proper to receive honoraria without rendering service.

She said the official has liability for the irregularity.

Authorities said the total amount released to Buyo reached PHP 14,000.

Buyo promised to return the amount and said it would not happen again.

Deseo is Buyo’s live-in partner and chairman of the Barangay Agrarian Reform Association in Barangay Balogo, and is reportedly in Iloilo City to process documents for overseas employment.