Lotlot, market chief charged over ‘illegal’ collection of fees

CEBU, Philippines — Former Inayawan Barangay captain Lutherlee “Lotlot” Ignacio-Soon and a market administrator were found guilty of an administrative case over “illegal” collections of electric and parking fees.

Soon and Loida Elman were meted a three-month suspension without pay by the Office of the Ombudsman-Visayas for allegedly collecting the fees sans an approved ordinance and for not issuing receipts for the payments made for the annual business clearance.

But since Soon is no longer in service, the Ombudsman ordered to convert her penalty to a fine equivalent to her salary for three months payable to the anti-graft office.

In their complaint, market vendors Doroteo Insila, Jr., Erlinda Bas, Adelina Zapanta, Cirilo Olivar, Milagros Tabuco, Gilbert Abellanosa, Anna Liza Abellanosa, Marilou Nengasca, Anecita Gungob, Gloria Soso, and Maridel Villapañe alleged that Soon and Elman violated Republic Act 6713 or the Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees.

They claimed they illegally transferred to the new market extension from the old market and granted the market stalls to new vendors without requisite bidding or raffle.

They also said the two collected electric and parking fees even without an ordinance authorizing the collection of fees.

Each vendor was allegedly asked to pay a daily electric fee of P10 per bulb owing to the market’s centralized power meter.

The vendors said Soon and Elman failed to issue official receipts.

But these were all belied by Soon and Elman.

Soon said she duly notified the market vendors sometime in February 2016 about their transfer following the completion of the new market extension.

She said the annual business clearance and the parking fees collected from the owners or drivers of delivery vans and trucks were used for the maintenance.

Graft investigation and prosecution officer II Abegail Marie Cinco, in a decision, said Soon and Elman were only liable of simple misconduct because the complainants failed to show that collection of electric, parking and barangay clearance fees were made for their personal or selfish ends.

On the other hand, Cinco dismissed the allegation on the transfer of market vendors for failure to execute lease contracts and for lack of substantial evidence. — KBQ (FREEMAN)