Mandaue council to submit report on Bihag case soon

CEBU, Philippines - Mandaue City Vice Mayor Carlo Pontico Fortuna has assured that the City Council Committee on Good Governance and Public Accountability will soon be submitting recommendation regarding the investigation on Cubacub Barangay Captain Almario Bihag.

“Anytime soon, probably this month, we will have the report of the committee on the complaint against Barangay Captain Bihag,” Fortuna said after the committee, chaired by Mandaue City Councilor Nenita Ceniza-Layese, wrapped up its preliminary conference last week.

Bihag was earlier captured in a 19-second video allegedly carrying and pointing a gun at two women and threatening them during the election of the Multi-Sectoral Governance Coalition (MSGC) in the Barangay Cubacub gymnasium last November 25, 2016.

Bihag had already denied the allegations that he was carrying a gun but admitted that he was angry when he went to the barangay gymnasium because he heard "highly provocative words" from Rolita Balane, a job order employee who facilitated the elections, over the public address system.

During the preliminary conference, Bihag had issued a personal apology to Balane and the other complainant, Winnie Sicad, but the two said they are only willing to forgive Bihag if he will own up to his behavior and issue a public apology and if a disciplinary action will be imposed against him.

According to Fortuna, the preliminary conference was conducted in order to assist the parties in reaching a settlement.

"Apan bisan nagkapinasayluay na ang reklamante ug gireklamo, magdepende gihapon kini sa reklamante kun ipadayon niini ang kaso batok sa kapitan. If necessary gyud nga ang party will really pursue the complaints then we will have the reports from the committee of good governance then the committee mao’y mo-recommend sa city council if naa’y sanction, then ang mayor mao’y mo-implement,” Fortuna said.

Fortuna said he will respect the committee's recommendation once it submitted the investigation report.

Layese, on her part, clarified that even if an agreement will be reached by the two parties, this will not stop the committee from imposing disciplinary action on Bihag. (FREEMAN)