Senior citizens' group files complaint vs brgy captain
A group of senior citizens is accusing the barangay chairman of Paknaan, Mandaue City of direct encroachment and abuse of authority for allegedly intervening in the association's election.
In a 20-page complaint filed before the Office of the Ombudsman-Visayas, the Paknaan Senior Citizens Association filed a case for violation of the anti-graft and corrupt practices law against Paknaan Barangay Chairman Malaquias Soco.
The officers who filed their complaints were Carmelito Canoy, Juanito Canonigo, Avelino Diano, Jimma Cimafranca, Mauro Garciano, Martin Geniston, Isidro Gilbolingo, Aquilina Gitgano, Antonio Manatad, Pedro Preagido, Alfredo Rosello and Cresencio Vidal.
In their joint-affidavit, the association officers claim that Soco maliciously intervened in the conduct of their election during the 3rd general assembly to elect new set of Board of Trustees and Officers of the Association last January 24 held at the Paknaan Elementary School.
According to the complaint, the barangay captain has his own chosen officers to lead the association, prompting him to conduct separate venues for the election using the facilities of the barangay.
Soco allegedly chose officers who are barangay officials, including Gabriel Gabon, who is the chairman of the Lupon ng Tagapamayapa, as the association's president.
"He maliciously assisting to continue recruiting members for the membership of this faction bogus association as chosen recipients of the benefits, which he refused to distribute since 2013 through the legitimate association, and to which now conveniently given only to among members of his chosen factionated association," the complaint read.
The complainants said after their election, the Board of Trustees convened to elect its chairman, president, vice president and appointed treasurer and auditor.
"We have submitted our documents as needed and required by the Securities and exchange Commission...We are supposed to be accredited by the Sangguniang Panlungsod but Barangay Chairman, Malaquias Soco disturbed by way of opposition ensued by him to the City Council," the complaint read. With this, the association's officers said they were not accredited by the City Council and instead Soco's endorsed officers were acknowledged and recognized by the Council Committee on Accreditation.
The complainant stressed that the Paknaan Senior Citizens Association Incorporated is a duly-registered association with SEC having 997 members.
Over all, there are 1,010 senior citizens in Paknaan.
Garry B. Lao/ATO
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