Labella’s ‘inaction’ dismays residents

CEBU, Philippines —  A resident of Barangay Sambag 1 in Cebu City has questioned the sincerity of Mayor Edgardo Labella in pursuing the culprit behind the “missing” donated dressed chickens.

Marco Licinio “Bebot” Flores Gingoyon, a resident of Sitio Ascension of the said barangay, has expressed dismay over Labella’s response to the letter complaint the Sambag 1 residents sent to the Office of the Mayor and the Office of the Ombudsman regarding the missing 18,000 chickens that were allegedly sold to city residents.

“Dismayado mi tungod kay naglikay sila nga mo-confront ini nga isyu. Di diay siya (Labella) intresado mahibawo sa tinuod?” Gingoyon said.

Labella said he would leave the investigation on lost chickens to the Office of the Ombudsman.

The mayor, a lawyer by profession, added that he cannot conduct an investigation over Councilor Eduardo Rama Jr., who is a member of the legislative department.

Labella has no jurisdiction over the said department. Such disciplinary administrative power lies only in the Office of the President who can order an investigation and even a suspension of an erring councilor.

Gingoyon alleged that Rama was into chicken supply or distribution business.

Rama earlier presented affidavits to the City Council proving that the chickens were distributed to recipient barangays.

Gingoyon said a City Hall employee who informed the residents of the sale of dressed chicken will testify should there be an impartial investigation to be conducted on the matter.

“Gusto namo investigation, wa ko niingon si Rama ang namaligya,” said Gingoyon.

Gingoyon also expressed dismay at City Legal Officer Rey Gealon for clearing the barangay captains from the controversy and for “politicizing” the issue.

“Si Gealon iya palutaw nga pamolitika para diversionary tactic, si Labella sad gigamit nga excuse ang Ombudsman basin naay iya alyado nga involved. He should take this matter seriously. We are part of the family isip siyay amahan sa siyudad,” Gingoyon said.

Gingoyon, in his letter complaint, said the case of missing donated chickens is “far from solved because many of them were shamelessly sold instead to the poor people in the barangays by the vultures in Cebu City and Barangay government offices.”

“Manghinaut ko ni Labella nga aksyonan gyud ni niya,” he added. Banat News Copy Editor, KQD (FREEMAN)