THE city council or Sangguniang Panlungsod chaired by Vice-Mayor Atty. Adam Relson Jala has preventively suspended barangay chairman Geneson Balbin of Cogon, Tagbilaran City for 60 days effective immediately.
The city council’s verdict came after the nominal voting and after the council deliberated the motion in a pre-conference for the barangay chair’s suspension.
It was learned that the preventive suspension is not considered as a form of punishment against the alleged erring barangay official but only enforced to prevent the accused from influencing or using his office for his defense.
The city council is said to be the “disciplining authority sitting en banc” via the Committee of the Whole which held a meeting at Bugnaw Si-e Resort, Anda town where they also conducted its Mid-year assessment.
Balbin is facing 10 administrative complaints filed before the council.
The complaints are the following: Grave Misconduct ug Abuse of Authority filed by Delia Doliguez; Grave Misconduct, Oppression, violation of section 4(A)(b), Section 4 (A)(c) ug section (4)(d) sa R.A. 6713 filed by Delia Doliguez, Norman Hangad, Napoleon Baysic, Russel Campo, Joselyn Bonzo, Rebecca Yecyec, Luz Homol and Anita Gare; and Grave Misconduct, Oppression, violation of section 4(A)(b), and section (4)(d) of R.A. 6713 filed by Marifel Udtohan Tecala.
Eight (8) councilors voted for the chairman’s suspension. They are SK Federated President Councilor Glicelle Mariz Policianos, Liga President Councilor Mary Jane Ruiz, Councilor Fausto Budlong, Councilor Eleizer Borja, Councilor Charles Cabalit, Councilor Nerio Zamora II, Councilor Nicanor Besas and Councilor Tim Butalid.
Those who voted against the suspension were Councilor Atoy Torralba and Councilor Ody Glovasa.
Councilor Jonas Cacho abstained and City Councilor Gemma Inting was visibly absent, according to news reporter Dave Responte.
Jala said that the 60-day preventive suspension of Balbin started last July 20, 2023 pending investigation based on the complaints filed.
The council’s decision for the barangay captain’s preventive suspension is expected to be enforced by City Mayor Jane Cajes Yap as her “ministerial duty.”
Jala said that the preventive suspension may be up to July 31 because of 90-day ban before the barangay an Sangguniang Kabataan elections on October 30, 2023. But after that the said suspension and the investigation will proceed.
The vice-mayor said that the notice of the preventive suspension will be furnished to Mayor Yap, Punong Barangay Balbin, Governor Aris Aumentado and the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG). (rvo)
