VARIOUS complainants have asked the City Council of Bacolod to issued a preventive suspension order against village chiefs Noli Villarosa of Barangay Tangub and Manuel Huelar Jr. of Barangay 35.
An urgent motion for preventive suspension of Villarosa, president of Association of Barangay Captains, was filed by Tangub councilman Rodolfo Niño Barrientos and Jose Juguan Jr. through their counsel Joseph Brian Perez.
They filed a complaint for conduct unbecoming of a public official, grave misconduct, and gross ignorance of the law due to their altercation during their session.
The two officials alleged that Villarosa became agitated when they inquired about the appointment papers and oath of office of his brother, Michael Villarosa.
They added that Villarosa ranted and uttered defamatory and insulting words to them and even threw the gavel.
In their motion, the complainants stated that respondent Villarosa holds the position of both punong barangay and ABC president which may give him the opportunity to influence the course of the investigation or proceeding and may influence also the testimonies of witnesses.
Villarosa said it is their right to complain, but the disciplinary action of suspension could not just be enforced as Councilor Caesar Distrito, chairman of SP committee on laws, ordinances and good government, has not yet conducted a hearing.
“I am confident I have not done anything wrong. I have my lawyer to defend me,” he added.
Meanwhile, an urgent motion for preventive suspension was lodged by Susan Permano, Mike Permano, Jea Ann Permano, Rolando Permano and John Francis Lingco through their counsel Rey Gorgonio against Huelar.
The motion said that Huelar is being charged with administrative cases for oppression, misconduct in office, commission of an offense involving moral turpitude, and grave abuse of authority.
It added that in addition to the administrative cases, Huelar is also indicted for robbery, carnapping, arbitrary detention, and grave coercion.
The complainants alleged that the evidence of guilt against Huelar is strong and that there is a danger that he would use his position to influence and threaten the witnesses thus, they are requesting that he be placed under preventive suspension.
The two motions for preventive suspension were accepted by Distrito’s committee Wednesday.
Huelar said these should be left to the decision of his constituents as the barangay election is forthcoming.
“Let us wait for the decision of the court. What they are claiming against me is farfetched. I hope that they will respect me, too. I don’t have any grudge against the complainants. I just do my job. If their allegations are true, I will be the one to apologize. But I did not do it,” he added.