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DILG starts suing barangay officials over drugs


The Department of Interior and Local Government on Monday sued officials from five barangays in Manila for their alleged failure to create barangay anti-drug abuse councils (BADAC).

DILG Undersecretary Martin Dino and Assistant Secretary EJ Echiverri led the filing at the Office of the Ombudsman against the barangay chairpersons, who will face administrative charges for misconduct of office or dereliction of duty pursuant to Section 60 of the Local Government Code of 1991.

The respondents include Barangay 471 chairperson Ruby Singson Perez, Barangay 477 chairman Adorado Santos Palad, Barangay 482 chairperson Mirasol Betila Magalong, Barangay 659-A chairwoman Ligaya Santos, and Barangay 690 chairperson Josefa Vasquez Mendoza.

Based on the complaint, the respondents allegedly failed to adhere to numerous DILG memoranda and Dangerous Drugs Board regulations reminding them of their duty to create a BADAC for their respective barangays in order to address the country's problem on illegal drugs.

"The failure of the respondents to create their BADACs can be classified as a misconduct of office or a dereliction of duty which is among the grounds for discipline, suspension or removal from office of a local official," the DILG said in its complaint.

The DILG said barangay officials have been urged to have their own local anti-drug abuse councils since 1998 when it issued Memorandum Circular No. 98-227.

"The respondents committed an administrative offense by his deliberate refusal to create the BADAC. As practiced since 1998, BADACs can easily be created through the issuance of an Executie Order by the Punong Barangay," the agency said.

Echiverri said the DILG will also file charges against officials from ten barangays — Bagauma, Balawing, Gumahang, Lanang, Macabug, Manamoc, Mariposa, Nabongsoran, San Isidro, and Talabaan — in Aroroy, Masbate.

He added that officials from Barangay Cota na Dado (Poblacion) in Gubat, Sorsogon are also included in the case which will be filed on Thursday and Friday.

"Tandaan niyo, yung numerong ibibigay mo ito rin yung impormasyon na gagamitin ng [Philippine National Police] at [Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency]. Kung basura ibibigay mo, basura rin ang matatanggap. May disparity ang drug affectation tsaka ang numero sa [drug watchlist]," Echiverri saud.

Echiverri said the DILG gives the Ombudsman the discretion on what penalty it will impose against the barangay officials.

"We feel that the Ombudsman will be more impartial in deciding the case. It will depend on the Ombudsman on what would be the proper penalty for them. It could either be preventive suspension, or perpetual disqualification to run. Nasa kanila po 'yun.," Echiverri said. —NB, GMA News

Tags: rjechiverri, dilg