Daluz returns; Barug now has 8 councilors

CEBU, Philippines — Contrary to an earlier report, Councilor Jose Daluz III will return to work tomorrow after being suspended preventively for six months over alleged unexplained wealth.

Daluz told The Freeman he does not have to inform the Department of Interior and Local Government about his return but will have to inform Vice Mayor Edgar Labella, the City Council’s presiding officer.

"Dili na diay ko mo inform sa DILG. I just have to write vice mayor Labella that I have served time," Daluz said.

DILG-Cebu City officer-in-charge Emma Joyevelyn Calvo said her office will no longer issue an assumption order for Daluz.

Daluz will only sit in the Council for a few months until the next set of councilors in Cebu City assume post after the May 19 elections, but he said he will make sure he will be active during the remaining time.

"I do not know if there's still time for an ordinance but I will be active in the deliberations as always," Daluz said.

Daluz is campaign manager of opposition group Partido Barug headed by former mayor Michael Rama.

Rama is running for vice mayor alongside current vice mayor Edgardo Labella who is running for mayor.

With Daluz’ return to the Council, Partido Barug will have eight sitting councilors, including Joel Garganera, Raymond Alvin Garcia, Jocelyn Pesquera, Eduardo Rama Jr., Pastor Alcover Jr., James Anthony Cuenco, and Renato Osmeña Jr.

The administration group, Barug Osmeña Pundok Kauswagan has 10 sitting councilors, including Margarita Osmeña, Sisinio Andales, Joy Augustus Young, Jerry Guardo, Alvin Arcilla, Eugenio Gabuya Jr., Mary Ann de los Santos, David Tumulak, Association of Barangay Councils President Franklyn Ong, Sangguniang Kabataan Federation President Jessica Resch.

It was on September 17, 2018 when DILG suspended Daluz for serious dishonesty for failing to explain the sudden increase of his personal properties in the Statements of Assets Liabilities and Networth (SALN) he filed in 2017.

In the petition he filed before the Court of Appeals, Daluz said his declared wealth increased because of the properties he inherited from his late mother.

"There was no dishonesty on the part of petitioner Daluz in the instant case. Aside from the sweeping conclusions, there was neither allegation nor proof of specific act of dishonesty attributable to him," his 23-page petition read. (FREEMAN)