BARANGAY officials of Tubod, Barili who surrendered last Oct. 21 for their alleged involvement in irregularities in the distribution of Social Amelioration Program funds, can still perform their duties and functions provided that they have not yet been convicted of the graft and corruption charges filed against them.
This is according to Barili Mayor Julieto Flores who said unless an administrative case will be filed against them, these barangay officials can still serve and fulfill their respective duties in their barangay unless summoned by the court.
He said these officials have not been detained for long nor their public duties suspended while waiting for the arraignment schedule on Nov. 5, 2020.
The bail was set at P90,000 each.
Separately, officials of the Department of the Interior and Local Government-Central Visayas (DILG 7) maintained that these public officials are presumed innocent until proven guilty of the charges against them.
Should suspension be possible, the DILG can designate a caretaker to administer the day-to-day operations of the barangay.
However, if these officials are convicted, this would constitute permanent vacancy.
Last Oct. 21, officials from Barangay Tubod in Barili surrendered to police after learning that a warrant for their arrest had been issued for violation of Republic Act 3019, or the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act.
Barili Police Station Chief Capt. Romeo Caacoy said they served the arrest warrant on Tubod Barangay Capt. Aurelio Mabano, and his councilors Mercy Camonas, Romulo Omalay, Baleriano Mabano, Roy Tangarorang, Loreto Ejambre, Arthur Aranda and Carlo Emnace.
The barangay health workers who were arrested are Victoria Talara, Maricar Escabillas, Mary Jane Elizar, Modesta Mambinuyao and Ludy Tanudra.
Also arrested was Ruchina Panugaling, a parent leader of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program.
The case prospered because the 14 respondents failed to respond to the complaints filed against them.
The accusation involved the alleged inclusion of Mabano’s two children in the list of SAP beneficiaries. (WBS)