BANGUED, Abra – Six officials of Barangay Calaba here were suspended for 90 days over a controversial notice showing an image of a gun as a penalty for those who disobey a rule on dumping garbage.
A NOTICE in Bangued, Abra shows the punishments for dumping garbage.
The notice was printed on a tarpaulin that indicated a fine of P1,000 for the first offense, second offense is also a fine of P1,000 and eight hours of community service, and no specific penalty for the third offense except for an image of a gun.
Concerned citizens filed a complaint against the barangay officials, pointing out that an image of the gun implies killing and a threat to one's life.
The municipal council recommended placing these barangay officials – the chairperson, four council members, and Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) chairperson – under preventive suspension pending investigation of the administrative cases lodged against them.
Bangued Mayor Mila Valera on May 6 approved the municipal council's recommendation and ordered the barangay officials suspended for 90 days.
Eric Astudillo, secretary of the municipal council, clarified that the preventive suspension is not a penalty but a way of preventing the suspended village officials – respondents in the complaint – from influencing the possible witnesses and preserving the integrity of the documents or evidence as the conduct of the investigation and inquiry is ongoing.
The suspended barangay officials are facing cases of grave misconduct, grave abuse of authority, gross neglect of duty, gross dishonesty, and conduct prejudicial to the best interest of the service.