Shimura: Politics on PB's lowering of brgy chief's suspension

CEBU, Philippines - Provincial Board Member Sun Shimura believes politics is behind the approval to lower the two-year suspension of a barangay captain in Daanbantayan, Cebu to three months.

Shimura said this during yesterday's 888 news forum at Marco Polo Plaza Hotel, a day after the PB made the decision favoring Bakhawan Barangay Captain Bernardito Luche.

Luche was initially found guilty of four administrative cases by the Daanbantayan Municipal Council for allegedly seizing trees by a resident of the town for allegedly not showing any permit. The Department of Environment and Natural Resources have said that there is no need for a permit.

The Municipal Council found Luche guilty of grave abuse of authority, oppression, serious misconduct and gross dishonesty, each with a six-month suspension or a total of two years.

Last Monday, though, majority of the board members voted to cut the suspension to three months.

Shimura said that this decision was obviously tainted with politics. He explained that Provincial Board members themselves admitted that according to the merits of the cases filed against Luche, there were lapses on the part of the barangay captain. Luche supports the local Liberal Party.

Four PB members, all from LP, decided that the penalty of two years was too harsh.

Board Members Peter John Calderon, Arleigh Sitoy, Wilfredo Caminero and Carmen Remedios Meca were in favor to cut the suspension to three months.

Shimura, a member of the One Cebu party, questioned the decision.

“It's really unfair sa Sangguniang bayan na sila mismo didto ang naghago og imbestigar.” (It's unfair for the council who conducted the investigation.)

One Cebu is a local ally of the United Nationalist Alliance, the rival party of the Liberal Party. In the Provincial Board, Shimura said that they are overpowered by LP members who have eight while they only have six.

Being part of the Provincial Board, Shimura said that he would not be able to act further on the decision but he said that he spoke with the municipal council about it.

Shimura said that according to Municipal Councilor and ABC president Rex Novabos who heads the Committee on Law and Ordinance, they are weighing their options on how to move further with the case.

Shimura said that Novabos was disheartened with the decision since they worked on proper investigation of the case for months. “Ingon pa gani sila na nay sala ang kapitan but the penalty is too harsh. Well naa man ingon, dura lex sed lex- the law is harsh but that is the law.”

Shimura said that the local government is checking if they can file a motion for reconsideration or can directly file with the Office of the President. He added that the municipal council is also weighing if they can seek for a Temporary Restraining Order on the implementation of the order that Luche can already be reinstated. Luche is currently on his third month of suspension, covering the three months ordered by the PB. – (FREEMAN)