Suspended village chief ‘snubs’ admin probe

By Felipe V. Celino 

ROXAS CITY, Capiz – Suspended punong barangay Restituto “Resty” Oquendo “snubbed” the preliminary hearing on the administrative case filed by a mother and daughter regarding an alleged harassment incident two months ago.

Oquendo did not appear in the hearing set by the Sangguniang Bayan of Pontevedra, Capiz Wednesday morning for unknown reasons.

SB Member Vicente “Odol” Dangan, chairman of the committee of the whole, said only the two complainants and their lawyer were present.

Dangan earlier assured a fair and impartial investigation on the administrative case filed by a senior citizen against Oquendo.

He gave the assurance after the body took cognizance of the case filed by Merlinda and daughter Rosalie Navarro against Oquendo.

The SB preventively suspended Oquendo for 60 days while the investigation is ongoing.

Mayor Esteban Contreras enforced the suspension on July 14, 2021.

The order was based on Resolution No. 1 of the Committee of the Whole of the Sangguniang Bayan on July 12, 2021.

The committee recommended the preventive suspension following the administrative complaint filed against Oquendo.

Contreras issued a Memorandum Order to implement the preventive suspension so that Oquendo could not influence the ongoing investigation on the administrative case.

The administrative complaint was filed after Oquendo allegedly upturned the table filled with vegetables and spices sold by Norly and Jauara Navarro.

Oquendo is the father of Restituto “Sultan” Oquendo Jr. who is presently at large after he was tagged in the shooting to death of the Navarro couple last month.

Merlinda and Norly were cousins who sold vegetables and pork, respectively, in the old public market of the barangay.

The village chief was allegedly upset after the Navarros refused to vacate and transfer their businesses to the new market which was reportedly owned by Oquendo.

Daily Guardian has tried to get the side of Oquendo but to no avail.