Malversation charge against village chiefs in blotter entry

Police Supt. Aileen Recla (right) of the Investigation and Detection Management Branch (IDMB) welcomes acting Cebu City mayor Margot Osmeña who came to the Cebu City Police Office (CCPO) and caused the entry into the blotter the barangay captains who have not returned thierissued vehicles. (CDN PHOTO/JUNJIE MENDOZA)

Cebu City Acting Mayor Margarita Osmeña had 40 barangay captains entered into the police blotter citing them for malversation of public funds and property for their failure to comply with the May 24 deadline to return their government-issued vehicles.

“It is not yet a formal complaint, it will be for record purposes only,” explained Eleodoro Diaz IV, special assistant to the Cebu City Legal Counsel who accompanied Osmeña to the Cebu City Police Office (CCPO) yesterday.

“They should do it now because the mayor and even the vice mayor have already returned their units and some of the barangay officials,” he added.

The blotter report was received by Supt. Aileen Recla, chief of City Investigation and Detection Management Branch (CIDMB) of CPPO who said it indicated violation of Republic Act 1060.

“This will only mean that we mean business here,” said Osmeña.

The names entered in the police blotter include councilor-elect Joel Garganera, who is currently the barangay captain of Tinago; Tisa Barangay Captain Philip Zafra, president of the Association of Barangay Councils; Punta Princesa Barangay Captain Jose Navarro and Apas village chief Ramil Ayuman. They are all allies of suspended Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama, who lost to Tomas Osmeña in the recent elections.

Only 34 barangays have turned over their vehicles.

Navarro for his part said it will be the ABC that will decide the matter. He admitted having received the Memorandum personally. He was issued a Toyota Innova wagon acquired on Sept. 7, 2011.