Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Eduardo Año has released the identities of more barangay officials who were charged for their alleged failure to prevent the occurrence of “super spreader events’’ in their respective areas.
Año identified them as Barangay Captain Romeo Rivera, of Barangay 171 in Caloocan City; Barangay Captain Ernan Perez of Barangay San Jose in Navotas City; Barangay Captain Marcial Lucas Melodie L. Palad of Barangay Matiktik, Norzagaray Bulacan; Barangay Captain Facipico Jeronimo of Barangay 181 in Tondo, Manila; Barangay Chairman Jaime Laurente of Barangay 182 in Tondo, Manila; Kagawad Arnel Saenz of Barangay 182 in Tondo, Manila; Barangay Captain Jason Talipan of Barangay Balabag, Boracay Island; Barangay Captain Jimmy Solano of Barangay Sambiray in Malay, Aklan and Barangay Captain Jessica Ponteres Cadungog of Barangay Kampuchaw in Cebu.
Rivera was charged with an administrative complaint for gross neglect of duty or dereliction of duty and conduct prejudicial to the best interest of the service. This stemmed from the May 9 swimming pool party incident in Gubat sa Ciudad Resort which is under Rivera’s jurisdiction.
Rivera was issued a 60-day suspension order which was implemented on June 4, 2021.
A criminal complaint was filed by the Navotas Police Station against Perez for violation of article 208 of the revised Penal Code and dereliction of duty for the mass gathering violation that happened in the Recreational Resort and Swimming Pool in his barangay.
The case against Palad has been referred to the Bulacan Provincial Prosecutors’ Office in Malolos City for violation of Republic Act (RA) 11332, RA 3019, Anti-Graft, Corruption Practices Act and Executive Order No. 19 series of 2021.
Palad’s inclusion in the charged barangay officials stemmed from a mass gathering incident in Bakas River which is located in his barangay.
Jeronimo, Laurente and Saenz were charged with violation of RA 11332 Mandatory Reporting of Noticeable Diseases and Health Events of Concerns Act which is now pending before the Manila Prosecutors’ Office.
They were charged for the boxing event at Fernandez St. corner Pag-Asa St. in Barangays 181 and 182 in Gagalangin, Tondo, Manila.
Talipan and Solano were charged for violation of RA 11332-9 over the mass gathering incident in Barangay Balabag, Boracay Island and Barangay sambiray in Malay, Aklan.
Cadungog was charged for violation of Article 208 of the Revised Penal Code over the mass gathering incident in Club Hotel Bar and Restaurant and Mango square in her barangay.
Her case has been referred to the Prosecutors’ Office.
In a report to President Duterte on June 7, Año said that there were 613 violations on conduct of mass gathering events with 579 being warned; 28 were fined; and six were directed to render community service.
With regard to the physical distancing violations, Año said a total of 13,882 violations were reported with 1,055 violators warned; 1,880 fined; 325 compelled to do community service; and 622 were arrested.