Ethics cmte tackles issue involving Brgy No. 7 officials

THE City Council Committee on Ethics and Blue Ribbon presided over by Councilor Jose Pepe S. Abbu, Jr. tackled the complaint filed by the Barangay Council of Barangay No. 7 headed by Punong Barangay Ronald Seriña of Barangay No. 7 against a Barangay Kagawad of the said barangay.

The Barangay Council filed an administrative charge against its member for allegedly refusing to retrieve and submit the copy of the investigation report and notice of discovery from the CEPALCO.

The said kagawad was a witness to the apprehension of an illegal tapping of electrical connection in the said barangay. However, the barangay’s copy of the report was borrowed by the apprehended person as a requirement for his obligation to CEPALCO but got lost.

During the committee hearing, the lawyer of the respondent-kagawad said the inspection report was already returned and presented to the barangay. However, the complainant refused to acknowledge it, noting that the case was already filed in the City Council.

The legal counsel of the barangay council said the respondent was invited several times to present the investigation report to the barangay council.

Councilor Abbu said the case can be settled amicably between the parties.

“This case is not so grave that [it has to] be brought to this body,” he stressed.

For his part, Councilor Roger Abaday, member of the committee, said the barangay council is an advocate of justice system in the community. It is tasked to settle cases within the barangay.

“(The barangay council) should set an example to settle things that cannot injure the barangay”, said Abaday.

After thorough discussion, the committee has requested the Barangay Council of Barangay No. 7 to amicably settle and resolve the issue.