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BY MERIANNE GRACE EREÑETA
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ILOILO City – Unless there’s a verified written complaint, the Sangguniang Panlungsod (SP) will not investigate three barangay captains for possible administrative liabilities for the proliferation of illegal drugs in their turfs.
Yesterday, Councilor Plaridel Nava called for an SP probe on barangay captains Keith Espinosa of Barangay Monica Blumentritt, City Proper; Remia Prevendido Gregori of Bakhaw, Mandurriao; and Noemi Jablo of Desamparados, Jaro.
Nava’s resolution calling for the probe was referred to the Committee on Police, Fire, Penology, Public Safety, Order & Security, Dangerous Drugs & Rehabilitation chaired by Councilor Jeffrey Ganzon.
Ganzon, however, was not keen on immediately starting the probe that Nava hoped would determine the barangay captains’ administrative liability for gross neglect of duty and grave misconduct.
“I support the resolution to conduct the investigation (but) there should be a complaint first before we can act. That’s the law, we have to follow it,” said Ganzon.
Ganzon cited Article 125, Rule 19 of the Implementing Rules and Regulations of the Local Government Code of 1991. He said it required a verified complaint against any erring elective local official before a sangunian can conduct an investigation and issue a final and executor decision.
“The complaint can be written by anybody pero mas maayo kun ang tawo nga affected gid sang ginareklamo,” added Ganzon.
Nava did not present to the SP any written complaint against Espinosa, Gregori and Jablo. He said there was no need for it.
“We can act motu proprio,” said Nava.
Motu proprio is Latin for “on his own impulse.”
Espinosa is the wife of Jesus “Jing-jing” Espinosa Jr., ranked No. 2 in the Iloilo City Police Office – Police Station 1’s list of suspected drug personalities in the City Proper. Their house was raided on Oct. 2. Policemen recovered seven plastic sachets of shabu.
Gregori is a sister of suspected big-time personality Richard Prevendido. Her barangay has been classified by the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) as “seriously affected” by illegal drugs.
Jablo is a sister-in-law of a chicken inasal vendor who was killed on Saturday by gunmen. Police said the shooting could be drug-related.
Nava recalled past instances when the SP conducted inquiries based only on resolutions.
“Kun hulaton lang ang verified complaint, matapos lang term namon, wala ni kasolbaran,” said Nava.
Ganzon may be held administratively liable if he doesn’t act on the resolution, warned Nava.
“Kay sa iya (committee) gin-refer, dapat nag-object siya kagina. Nag-beg-off siya. Too late na nga indi siya magpatawag committee hearing. He has to remember nga pwede kami madisiplina for administrative liability kun indi mag-act sa isa ka legislative measure within 60 days,” added Nava./PN
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