Village chief in Iloilo faces graft, misconduct raps

By Jennifer P. Rendon

A village official from San Joaquin, Iloilo, is facing multiple charges before the Office of the Ombudsman.

A private citizen filed complaints against the unnamed punong barangay for alleged violations of the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act, Republic Act No. 6713 or the Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees, conduct prejudicial to the best interest of the service, and grave misconduct.

The complainant alleged that the village official committed grave abuse of authority by performing actions beyond his lawful duties.

He claimed that the official failed to issue a written summons when he was forced to appear before the barangay.

“The invitation was done without any written summon addressed to me, to my shock and dismay,” the complainant said.

He further alleged that the accused ordered other officials to pick him up by motorcycle and ensure that he was transported to the barangay hall.

“He ordered barangay tanods and barangay officials to forcibly take me to the barangay hall.

I was standing in the middle of the road, carrying 10 banana plants supposedly to be planted, when a speeding motorcycle suddenly took a sharp turn to block my way.

The two onboard were directed by the punong barangay when they did those things,” the complainant said.

He also claimed that during the barangay confrontation, the punong barangay demanded PHP 30,000 from him to avoid being reported to the police or facing charges.

He said the demand was made despite the absence of evidence against him.

The complainant added that the official showed manifest partiality by issuing a certification of ownership for cattle, a function that legally falls under the jurisdiction of the municipal treasurer.