THE chairman of the City Council’s Blue Ribbon Committee has vowed to act once a formal complaint is filed against City Councilor Zaldy Ocon who reportedly slapped a traffic law enforcer inside the session hall Thursday, December 1.
Blue Ribbon Committee Chairman Lordan Suan said the committee will not initiate any action on the supposed incident involving Ocon to avoid being perceived as politicking.
Ocon is an ally of Cagayan de Oro City Mayor Oscar Moreno while Suan is a member of the Padayon Pilipino, the party of former mayor Vicente Emano.
“Maghulat lang mi kung naa mag-file kay dili mi gusto nga ma-label nga namolitika kung i-take namo ang case on our own initiative and para pud fair (We will wait if someone will file a case since we do not want to be labeled as someone politicking if we take this case on our own initiative and we also want it to be fair),” Suan said.
Suan clarified it would be proper if the verified complaint should be filed first which will be the basis for the committee probe.
Suan declined to comment on the alleged incident involving Ocon but said generally, public officials should hold one’s self in the highest disciplinary standard and should strive to be examples of good behavior.
Suan said public officials should know that even when aggrieved, they should resort to violence.
“Wala pa ko kabalo unsa gayud nahitabo busa i-reserve sa nako akong judgment kay lisod kung gikan lang sa mga storya sa uban para fair pud in case naa na complaint nga ma-file (I still do not know what exactly happened that’s why I will reserve my judgment since its hard if I will judge it base on hearsay and it will be fair in case the complaint is filed),” Suan said.
Ocon reportedly slapped Ric Emmanuel Agustin when Agustin, together with the Roads and Traffic Administration executives, sought clarification on Ocon's illegal parking violation at a yellow box in Yacapin-Guillermo streets, Cagayan de Oro City.
The Blue Ribbon chair said once the complaint is filed, the ethics committee would handle the case.
The Blue Ribbon rules states the respondent will be given the opportunity to answer the accusations and both the accuser and the accused will appear in the preliminary conference for possible amicable settlements.
Suan said once both parties fail to settle the case, hearings will follow until the committee executes its decision.
“Summary in nature ang blue ribbon unlike sa mga korte nga full blown trial. Mas paspas siya compare sa mga korte (Blue Ribbon is summary in nature unlike the courts which are full blown trial. Its quicker than that of the courts),” Suan said.
Lawyer Leon Gan, committee vice chairman, said the committee could recommend reprimand or suspension if the decision does not favor the respondent.
But Gan said a public official should also know how to follow rules and laws.
“Kung nakahimo og kalapasan kinahanglan respituhan dili angay gamiton ang kamot sa pagpangdapat (If you made a violation, you need to be respectful instead of using your hand for slapping),” Gan said.
Meanwhile, Task Force Hapsay Dalan chairman Attorney Edgardo Uy said Agustin’s medical examination yielded negative results for any injury as a result of the alleged slapping incident.
“Dili necessary ang medical findings kay pwede man (Medical findings are not necessary since it can be) slander by deed and abuse of authority,” Uy said.
Agustin is also reportedly determined to pursue the filing of administrative and criminal complaints against Ocon before the Blue Ribbon Committee and the Office of the Ombudsman.
“Ang among gibuhat karon is ang (What we are doing now is the) affidavit of complaint kay mao ang requirements sa Blue Ribbon ug sa Ombudsman (since it’s the requirements of the Blue Ribbon and the Ombudsman),” Agustin said over a TV news.
Ocon said over Bombo Radyo he slapped Agustin for being arrogant and he would ask the City Council to recommend the dismissal of the traffic law enforcer.