One Cebu questions suspensions on Alegria legislators
CONGRESSIONAL aspirant Pablo John Garcia said the Provincial Board (PB) didn’t have authority to issue a recommendation to suspend five Alegria municipal councilors on charges of dereliction of duty.
Pablo John, who will run for Cebu’s newly created 7th district under the One Cebu party, said the Local Government Code allows the PB to investigate elected officials except for members of the local legislative councils.
Alegria town councilors Emelita Guisadio, Nemia Alocillo, Maria Leticia Donayre, Alejandro Villaneza, and Diosdado Lerio are considering to file charges of grave abuse of authority against the PB at the Ombudsman.
The councilors are under the One Cebu party of the Garcias. In its session last Monday, the PB approved a report of the committee on complaints and investigation to suspend the five councilors.
Alegria Vice Mayor Marcial Rodriguez said the councilors refused to attend the scheduled regular and special sessions, “without giving any justifiable explanation or leave of absence.”
Provincial director Jerome Gonzales of the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) said the PB has jurisdiction over all local elected officials in the province.
Gonzales said internal discipline based on the council’s internal rules is different from a verified complaint lodged at the PB.
“That is their responsibility to attend the session, that is what they are paid for,” he said.
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