President Roxas mayor defends disputed barangay session
By Felipe V. Celino
By Felipe V. Celino
ROXAS CITY, Capiz — President Roxas Mayor Receliste Tanoy Escolin said four Barangay Poblacion councilors did not violate the law when they called a special session and passed a resolution recommending three people to fill vacancies on the barangay council.
Escolin said the three vacancies arose after the barangay chair and two councilors ran for and won seats on the President Roxas Municipal Council in the 2025 midterm elections.
During the special session, four barangay councilors unanimously adopted a resolution endorsing three prospective council members to Escolin.
A councilor who had assumed the post of barangay chair and another councilor did not attend or participate in the special session.
Former Barangay Councilor Edison Dolor subsequently filed criminal and administrative complaints against the four incumbent councilors with the Office of the Ombudsman-Visayas, challenging the legality of the resolution.
The respondents were identified as Barangay Councilors Jose Chenel Bertuldo, Gonzalo Escosia Jr., Franklin Garcia and Niño Angelo Dela Cruz.
According to an Ombudsman document, the respondents face a criminal complaint for falsification by a public officer, employee, notary or ecclesiastical minister under Article 171 of the Revised Penal Code.
They also face administrative complaints for grave abuse of authority, gross neglect of duty and serious dishonesty.
The Ombudsman said there was sufficient basis to proceed with Dolor’s complaints and directed the respondents to answer the allegations.
The four officials were ordered to submit their counteraffidavits and supporting evidence within five days.
The complaints arose from the officials’ alleged selection of replacements during a special session that Dolor contended lacked a proper quorum.
The vacancies developed after members of the barangay council ran for and won seats on the municipal council in the 2025 elections.
Under Section 45 of the Local Government Code, permanent vacancies in a barangay council are filled through appointments by the city or municipal mayor upon the council’s recommendation.
Article 171 of the Revised Penal Code covers specified acts of document falsification committed by a public officer, employee or notary who takes advantage of an official position.
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