THE Lapu-Lapu City Hall employee involved in a recent road rage incident has been given 72 hours to submit his explanation in response to a complaint from the offended party.
The 72-hour period began Thursday afternoon, June 19, 2025, and will lapse on Monday, June 23.
The incident was captured on video that showed the employee exchanging punches with a motorist on Wednesday, June 18, in Barangay Basak.
In a Facebook post on Thursday, outgoing Mayor Junard “Ahong” Chan expressed his commitment to taking appropriate action against the employee, stating he would coordinate with the Civil Service Commission.
He emphasized that he would not tolerate abusive behavior from government employees.
“As government employees, you’re supposed to be role models and act with kindness towards others,” Chan said in Cebuano. “But if you do the opposite, I’ll be the one to take action against you.”
City Administrator Danilo Almendras told SunStar Cebu on Friday, June 20, that failure to comply within the deadline would signify the employee had waived his right to reply, allowing the case to proceed with the allegations.
However, if the employee submits his reply within the timetable, the next course of action will be determined after the two parties meet.
Almendras said it will be up to the offended party whether to settle the matter or proceed with the case.
“If the complainant decides to push through with the case, the committee on service commission will conduct its investigation and recommend sanctions to the mayor,” said Almendras. “Possible sanctions for the employee could be dismissal or suspension.”
On the same day as the incident, the complainant filed a blotter report at the nearest police station for damage to property against the City Hall employee.
According to Lapu-Lapu City Police Office spokesman, Lt. Col. Christian Torres, the investigation is ongoing, with officers gathering evidence and witness testimonies.
In the blotter report, the complainant said that while driving along the Basak-Marigondon Road on Wednesday morning, he was struck by a motorcycle. The motorcycle driver then fled without offering assistance.
The complainant chased the motorist, leading to a confrontation and fistfight after the pursuit.
The motorcycle that hit “Alex” (not his real name) was driven by the City Hall employee, whose name is being withheld due to the ongoing investigation.
“As of now, no formal charges have been filed, and the parties involved will need to go through the proper channels to pursue their cases,” Torres added. / Necolyn Claire Balansag, CNU intern and Yvon Maratas, Benedicto College intern