BACOLOD City – Charges were lodged against Liga ng mga Barangay president Noli Villarosa, his former wife and the barangay treasurer of Tangub at the Office of the Ombudsman Visayas.
The complainant, Jesusa Contorno, accused Villarosa, also the Tangub barangay captain, of terminating her as VAWC (Violence Against Women and Children) Desk officer without due process.
Contorno told the press she filed the charges on April 17.
She further accused Villarosa of abuse of authority for hiring “ghost” casual employees and allowing ex-wife Marilou Magallanes to conduct business at the barangay hall using official facilities.
Moreover, Contorno charged Villarosa, Magallanes and Tangub barangay treasurer Ma. Theresa Domadiego with graft and corruption.
She claimed that they asked her to sign a payroll with the promise that the increase in her monthly salary will be allocated for the barangay election campaign of Villarosa.
Contorno said she did not claim her salary for December 2017 to avoid signing the payroll. She said her P3,000 salary increased to P4,000 in November and further rose to P4,800 in December.
Villarosa, questioning her loyalty, issued a memorandum terminating her in January, Contorno claimed.
For his part, Villarosa said he had to fire Contorno due to complaints from constituents and her failure to liquidate some expenses.
Villagers say Contorno is always late when dealing with VAWC cases and sometimes not around when there is a complaint, said Villarosa.
As VAWC focal person in Tangub, Contorno is employed by the Department of Social Services and Development, he said.
Moreover, Villarosa said Contorno failed to liquidate expenses on programs for drug surrenderers and persons with disabilities.
Villarosa said he has not yet received a copy of the complaint. He believes it is “politically motivated” and said he is willing to answer it when told by the Ombudsman./PN
