GUIDELINES for the investigation of administrative disciplinary cases against elective barangay officials is being pushed in Itogon, Benguet.
This, after the Itogon Municipal Council approved a proposed measure “enacting the rules of procedures of the Sanggunian Bayan in the investigation of disciplinary cases against elective barangay officials.”
This covers all administrative cases filed against the barangay, members of the barangay council, Sangguniang Kabataan chairman and its SK council, according to Councilor Jodea Acay-Camuyot, author of the proposed measure.
“There is a need to enact an ordinance pertaining to the rules of procedures governing the adjudication of administrative cases filed in the Sangguaning Bayan to ensure the orderly administration of justice,” Acay–Camuyot said.
Under the proposed ordinance, all administrative complaints against local elective officials will be acted by the local council. Upon taking the administrative complaint filed, the matter will be referred to the committee on personnel and committee who will serve as investigating authority.
An elective barangay official be disciplined, suspended if found to conduct disloyalty to the Republic of the Philippines, violation of the Constitution, misconduct in office, gross negligence, abuse of authority, and other grounds provided in the Local Government Code of 1991, R.A. 6713, R.A. 3019, Revised Penal Code among others.
Within seven days after the complaint is filed, the committee must issue an order requiring the respondents to submit his response to the office of the municipal council within 15 days.
The mayor has the authority to impose preventive suspension upon the recommendation of the council through the investigating authority.
This may be imposed when there is reasonable ground that the respondent has committed the act being complained about, the evidence of culpability is strong, and the gravity of offense so warrants.