THE new chief of Barangay Malabanias, Angeles City, Pampanga has taken his oath before Mayor Carmelo “Pogi” Lazatin, Jr. and Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Undersecretary for Barangay Affairs Martin Diño.
Second Barangay Kagawad Amado Lalic took his oath as acting Punong Barangay of Malabanias on March 26, 2021, temporarily replacing Reynaldo Gueco, who was preventively suspended for 90 days by the Sangguniang Panlungsod.
The Sangguniang Panlungsod has the authority to impose disciplinary action among elected barangay officials, pursuant to the Local Government Code, says DILG Angeles City Director Martin Porres Moral.
Gueco was meted a 60-day preventive suspension for the Covid-19 protocol violations, while the other 30-day suspension for profiteering.
Gueco's suspension stemmed after he, together with Barangay Kagawads Edwin Nacu, Crisino Pantig, and Alexander Flores and other appointed barangay officials – Igmidio Pantig (Secretary); Jason Supan (Administrator); and Victor Casupanan (Tanod), violated Covid-19 safety and health protocols of the city.
Gueco and the three barangay kagawads are facing Administrative Case No. SP35-2021 or Grave Misconduct, Gross Negligence and Abuse of Authority in relation to violation of Ordinance No. 533, series of 2020 (PO-122-04-2020) also known as “An Ordinance Strengthening Republic Act 11469 otherwise known as ‘Bayanihan to Heal as One Act’ and Providing specific City Policies relative to Covid-19 prevention, control, and management.”
The case was filed by City Health Officer-in-Charge Dr. Verona Guevarra and Angeles City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Officer-in-Charge Rodolfo Simeon, both local Inter-Agency Task Force on Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-EID) chair.
After thorough investigation and hearings made during the City Council sessions, Councilor Dr. Joseph Alfie Bonifacio, also the chairman of the Blue Ribbon Committee, said Gueco and Barangay Kagawads Nacu, Pantig and Flores are meted 60 days of preventive suspension.
It can be recalled that photos circulated on social media in November 2020 showing a barangay assembly conducted for the State of the Barangay Address in Malabanias, where 150 individuals, mostly barangay officials, were gathered in a covered court.
Most of them were caught on camera not wearing face masks and face shields and not observing social distancing. They even conducted a "question and answer" portion without wearing face masks or face shields.
City Ordinance No. 533, Article V and VI states the mandatory wearing of face masks in public places and commercial establishments and the prohibition of social and/or mass gatherings, respectively.
The photos also showed that the meals were served buffet-style, which was also a direct violation under city protocols, in accordance with the protocols set by the IATF-EID.
According to Business Permit and Licensing Division (BPLD) Chief Evangeline Malonzo, the city had regulated catering services during that time since social gatherings, particularly parties, were still strictly prohibited under Resolution No. 6, which regulates the conduct of social gatherings and/or public events during the holiday season.
The circulated photos also showed several senior citizens in attendance, which is also an infraction of the city’s modified general community quarantine guidelines. It states that “any person below 21 and those who are 60 and above shall be required to remain in their residences at all times, except when indispensable under the circumstances for obtaining essential goods and services and for work in industries and offices or such other activities permitted.”
Aside from these violations, Gueco with his appointed barangay officials Pantig, Supan, and Casupanan are also facing Administrative Case No. SP34-2021 or the Grave Misconduct, Gross Negligence and Abuse of Authority in relation to violation of Republic Act 11332 or the Mandatory Reporting of Notifiable Disease and Health Concerns Act, Section 4.1 on Illegal Profiteering. The case was also filed by Guevarra and Simeon.
This came in the heels of reports of alleged profiteering of certain officials for illegal swabbing referrals of suspected Covid-19 patients to a private clinic not licensed to conduct swab tests, where Lazatin, DILG,
and the Department of Health requested the Sangguniang Panlungsod to conduct a full-blown investigation.
The case against the barangay-appointed officials was dismissed since the City Council had a lack of jurisdiction, however, it will be forwarded to the Office of the City Legal for appropriate action.