Malabanias barangay officials in hot water
ANGELES CITY, Pampanga — Local officials from Barangay Malabanias were slapped with suspension for allegedly violating the city government’s health and safety protocols here.
Angeles City Mayor Mayor Carmelo Lazatin Jr. issued an executive order which placed Malabanias barangay chairman Reynaldo Gueco and councilors Edwin Nacu, Crisino Pantig and Alexander Flores under suspension.
Gueco is suspended for 90 days, while Nacu, Pantig and Flores were slapped a 60-day suspension for supposedly violating protocols.
The complaint was lodged by City Health Officer Verona Guevarra and Angeles City Risk Reduction and Disaster Management Office head Rudy Simeon, who said that the officials reportedly violated health and safety protocols during a meeting in Barangay Malabanias.
Lazatin stressed that the 90-day suspension on Gueco was in line with the ongoing administrative investigation for alleged misconduct, gross negligence and abuse of authority in relation to violation of Republic Act (RA) 11332 and Ordinance 522, S-2020.
The barangay captain also suspended for Administrative Case SP34-2021 or the Grave Misconduct, Gross Negligence and Abuse of Authority in relation to violation of RA 11332 or the Mandatory Reporting of Notifiable Disease and Health Concerns Act, Section 4.1 on Illegal Profiteering.
Meantime, Pantig, Nacu, and Flores were slapped by the Angeles City Council with a 60-day preventive suspension for Administrative Case SP35-2021 or Grave Misconduct, Gross Negligence, and Abuse of Authority in relation to violation of Ordinance 533, series of 2020 (PO-122-04-2020) also known as “An Ordinance Strengthening Republic Act 11469 otherwise known as ‘Bayanihan to Heal as One Act’ and Providing specific City Policies relative to Covid-19 prevention, control and management.”
However, other officials who were filed the profiteering case identified as secretary Igmidio Pantig, administrator Jason Supan and barangay tanod Victor Casupanan were junked due to lack of jurisdiction.
The case was ordered to be forwarded to the office of the city legal for proper disposition and appropriate action.
Second councilman Amado Lalic took over as acting barangay chair of Malabanias before Lazatin and Department of the Interior and Local Government Undersecretary for barangay affairs Martin Diño last 26 March.