Zafra files charges vs barangay councilor

CEBU, Philippines — Believing that his powers were usurped, Tisa Barangay Captain Phillip Zafra filed administrative and criminal charges against one of his barangay councilmen over alleged unauthorized issuance of barangay clearances.

Zafra accused Tisa Barangay Councilman Eduardo Cabulao, who heads the Barangay Mayor’s Office, for usurpation of official functions and grave misconduct and conduct prejudicial to the best interest of the service.

“Very recently, after inspecting various documents of the barangay, it has come to my attention that Barangay Councilor Eduardo Cabulao, Jr., on several instances from May 30, 2017 until June 5, 2017, issued various certifications and endorsements in behalf of Barangay Tisa and/or barangay captain of Barangay Tisa,” reads the five-page complaint filed before the Office of the Ombudsman-Visayas on February 6, 2018.

Zafra said the issuance of official forms of the barangay is within the power of the barangay captain under the Local Government Code of 1991.

In this case, he said the forms and endorsements released by Cabulao were done without the knowledge of the barangay captain, which is a violation of the Revised Penal Code.

With this, Zafra asked the anti-graft office to preventively suspend Cabulao pending investigation of the cases against the latter.

Zafra believed that the continued stay in office of Cabulao will prejudice the “just, fair, and independent disposition” of the case filed against him, adding that the prevention will prevent the latter to use his power to tamper or destroy evidences.

In his complaint, Zafra also stated that Cabulao is an ally of the current administration under Mayor Tomas Osmeña.

In his press conference, Osmeña said he cannot answer the allegations against Cabulao.

But as to the issuance of barangay documents from BMO to the residents of the barangay, the mayor said he cannot answer it.

“I cannot answer that question except I’ll make something clear, did the barangay refuse to issue a clearance particularly because of political reasons. Then I have a reason to see to it that the person gets fair treatment,” the mayor said.

Osmeña alleged that many barangays do not like to render service for political reasons.

The mayor said he cannot answer question relative to the authority of the BMO to issue barangay clearances.

“I cannot answer that question if it is based on political bias because the barangay is unable or unwilling to issue a clearance, then they can bring it up to me and I will sign it myself,” he added.

However, Cabulao was unavailable for comment as of press time. (FREEMAN)