28 Lapu-Lapu City captains sue Chan

CEBU, Philippines — At least 28 of the 30 barangay captains of Lapu-Lapu City have filed criminal and administrative complaints against Mayor Junard “Ahong” Chan before the Office of the Ombudsman Visayas relative to the closure of the office of city lone district Representative Paz Radaza at the City Hall.

The complainants, led by Bankal Barangay Captain Eduardo Cuizon, president of the Association of Barangay Councils, through counsel Richard Bauzon, accused the mayor of grave coercion, grave misconduct, conduct unbecoming of a public officer, grave abuse of authority, oppression and violation of Section 3(e) of Republic Act No. 3019, also known as the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act.

The other complainants are Barangay Captains Jimboy Igot of Agus, Arsenio Berdin of Babag, Romulo Wagwag of Baring, Isabelito Darnayla of Basak, Lorna Soroño of Buaya, Arsilito Pejo of Calawisan, Ranilo Abayan of Caohagan, Reynaldo Tampus of Canjulao, Jackson Matbagon of Caubian, Efren Apa of Caw-oy, Regina Ybañez of Looc, Eleonor Fontanoza of Gun-ob, Johanna Capangpangan of Pajac, Evaristo Dihayco, Jr. of Mactan, Rosalino Abing of Maribago, Cyrus Eyas of San Vicente, Lucrecia Amores of Marigondon, Nelson Melancolico of Sabang, Virgilio Casiao of Pangan-an, Tirso Tumulak of Poblacion, Justino Booc of Pusok, Crisanto Estardo of Punta Engaño, Maryjane Cahilog of Ibo, Joselito Tibon of Suba-Basbas, Virgilio Daño of Talima, Audie Flores of Tingo and Triponia Abayan of Tungasan.

Although they were listed among the complainants, Wagwag, Apa and Amores did not sign the complaint.

“Pero bisan pa man wala sila nakapirma wala na nagpasabot nga wala sila niuyon sa complaint. Kay atol sa pagpirma namo sa affidavit wala sila naka apil sa among meeting kay tungod sa mga kakulian,” Cuizon explained.

According to Cuizon, during the signing of the complaint Apa was undergoing a dialysis while Wagwag was in Bohol and Amores was having an important meeting.

The two barangay captains who did not join the complainants are Francisco Gilig of Barangay Sta. Rosa and Lyndell Tumulak Bullos of Barangay Pajo.  Both are allies of the mayor.

“As barangay captains, we always see to it that we could give the best service to our respective barangay. One of our main sources of assistance came from the office of Cong. Paz C. Radaza,” read the complaint affidavit.

The complainants asked the anti-graft office to place Chan under preventive suspension for six months allegedly to prevent him from using his office to harass and influence the witnesses.

They alleged that Chan ordered five persons to destroy the backdoor of the office of Radaza. They said Chan issued several notices to vacate despite his knowledge of the existing city ordinance that allows Radaza to hold office at the city hall.

Chan allegedly ordered his personnel to padlock Radaza’s office by placing a sheet of plywood at the entrance of the office and harassed the staff of the congresswoman.

On July 1, 2019, Chan served Radaza a notice to vacate but the latter insisted to keep her congressional office at the City Hall claiming that it is provided under City Ordinance No. 14-200-2019.

On July 10, a case for annulment of the said ordinance with application for preliminary injunction was filed before the Regional Trial Court Branch 70 in Lapu-Lapu City.

Another notice to vacate was sent by Chan to Radaza on August 9 and the final notice on August 13 before it was finally shut down. (FREEMAN)