The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) will be filing a case against the barangay officials who were involved in the viral street boxing event in Gagalangin, Tondo amid the strict prohibition of such activities due to the threat of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19).
In an interview over GMA News, DILG Undersecretary and spokesperson Jonathan Malaya said the charges will be filed before the Office of the Ombudsman after the initial investigation disclosed that the officials were directly involved in promoting the boxing event.
“Katulad dito sa Tondo, lumalabas sa report ng ating kapulisan na kasama sila (barangay officials) sa, I would say, nag-organize (boxing event). May kinalaman sila sa organization ng pa-boxing na ito. So, ang kaso niyan mas mabigat kaysa doon sa tinolerate lang (health protocols) or naging pabaya (In this case in Tondo, the police report showed that they were involved in organizing. They are privy to the organization of the boxing event. So, the case against them would be stiffer compared to those who are simply tolerating or were negligent), Malaya said.
The DILG official explained that if it was tolerating and neglecting duties, the case would be dereliction of duty but heavier charges are bound to be filed by the DILG before the Office of the Ombudsman if the barangay officials were directly involved in organizing and had full knowledge (of the boxing event).
Aside from the administrative cases that may cause the barangay officials’ suspension or dismissal from the office, Malaya said criminal charges may also be filed against them.
However, Malaya said the DILG has yet to determine the charges to be filed as they are still waiting for the results of the investigation.
On May 18, the Manila Police District (MPD) filed charges against Barangay 181 and 182 chairmen Pacifico Geronimo and Jaime Lorente respectively over the said boxing event.
The boxing event occurred in the areas of both barangays.