Six-month suspension of village officials implemented

By Felipe V. Celino 

ROXAS CITY, Capiz — Mayor Receliste “Tanoy” Escolin on Friday implemented the six-month suspension of officials of Brgy. Cabugcabug President Roxas, Capiz.

Escolin served the suspension order to Punong Barangay Alfonso Locsin Golero, Kagawad Ma. Leonora Canindo Mejica, Jose Buco, Jr., Thelma Antonio, Francis Beluso, Joely Canindo and Barangay Secretary Joenard Buco.

The barangay officials were found guilty of grave misconduct by the Office of the Ombudsman Visayas.

Municipal Local Government Operations Officer (MLGOO) Annie Banico accompanied Escolin in serving the order.

The mayor asked the suspended village officials to continue to cooperate with the programs and projects of the barangay.

According to Golero, they filed a Motion for Reconsideration (MR) on their suspension order with the Ombudsman.

The five kagawads are also members of the barangay’s Bids and Awards Committee (BAC).

Based on the 16-page Ombudsman decision, the respondents were guilty of faking documents regarding the use of funds of the Department of Labor and Employment’s Livelihood Emergency Employment Program (DOLE-LEEP) amounting to P718,605.

The funds for the procurement of hog feeds, vitamins and other supplements for the hog raising business of the barangay’s cooperative.

But during the investigation conducted by the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI), it was found out that Golero used a receipt of one of the suppliers from the town of Sigma to prove the delivery of supplies when there was none.

Considering that there was connivance between Golero and the BAC members, the barangay kagawads and secretary were included in the corruption case.