ANGELES CITY -- Balibago village councilman Rodelio "Tony" Mamac said they are concerned about the health of their barangay chairman, Carmelo "Tarzan" Lazatin.
Mamac said that this compelled him and his allies in the barangay council to pass a resolution declaring as vacant the barangay chairman's position.
"We are actually concerned about his health, so we decided to pass the resolution to allow our barangay captain to take a medical leave and undergo treatment," Mamac said.
Mamac, together with the other barangay councilmen Abel Reyes, Fernando Yambao, Arnold Ibay, Joel Ocop and Leonardo Nicdao last September 10 passed Resolution Number 9 Series of 2018 which also stated that Lazatin was absent for 29 straight days because of sickness.
Mamac and the other barangay councilors stated in the resolution that Lazatin deserves complete medical attention. The group stressed that they recognize the legacy of Lazatin, who served as city mayor and representative of Pampanga's first congressional district.
Aside from this, the delivery of basic services to the people should not be hampered because of Lazatin's absences and failure to sign documents related to the village daily operation.
The same resolution also asked Mayor Edgardo Pamintuan to grant Lazatin's medical leave and appoint First Councilor Mamac as officer in charge of Barangay Balibago.
Lazatin, however, assailed Resolution Number 9 saying it is invalid and has no legal basis.
The barangay chairman said he was not incapacitated from his position. He added that Mamac is not mandated by law to automatically exercise the powers and functions of the punong barangay for the very reason that there was no temporary vacancy in the position.
Lazatin claimed that he is performing his duties as village chief and there is no reason for the councilmen to allege that he was absent for 29 days.
"I was not incapacitated for more than 30 working days. Patently, Barangay Kagawad Rodelio Mamac is usurping the authority of the Office of the Punong Barangay," Lazatin stated in his recent letter to Pamintuan, Vice-Mayor Bryan Nepomuceno, and other city officials.