AFTER the 60-day preventive suspension order was served last December 28, Labogon Barangay Captain Renato Suson of Mandaue City turned over his duties to first councilor Amado Manatad at the Labogon Barangay Hall Friday morning.
The turnover was peaceful with the presence of City Legal assistant lawyer James Allan Sayson, a representative from the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) and some police officers.
Suson, Barangay Councilors Alfredo Estrada and Benwilson Bodo Jr. were preventively suspended after their fellow officials, including Manatad, filed a complaint before the City Council in violation of Republic Act 3019 or the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act last July 10, 2017.
The complaint filed was related to the alleged “ghost delivery” of construction materials intended for the rehabilitation of the village’s material recovery facility.
Suson turned over the check book, receipts, keys of the barangay vehicles, and the office of the barangay captain.
“Atong gidawat ang suspension order sa tibuok nga pagpaubos,” Suson said in an interview.
(I am accepting the suspension will all humility)
Sayson, the DILG personnel along with police officers, went to Labogon Barangay Hall after they learned that Suson was still reporting to the barangay hall despite the suspension order.
Sayson explained that there was a misunderstanding for Suson was just waiting for Manatad to come over to the barangay hall.
While Manatad did not report to serve as the acting barangay captain to avoid any clash that might erupt between him and Suson, he said.
Since he is now the acting barangay captain, Manatad told reporters that he will immediately order the collection of garbage and the salaries of the more than 100 barangay employees, including barangay officials, which have not been released for seven months now.
“Tinuod na ako gipaabot (nga moari sa barangay hall), but nagpaabot ko sa turnover nga naa ang DILG, City Legal Office ug media,” said Manatad. (VoxPop Cebu)