Provincial Liga Federation President Board Member Ferdinand “Inan” Zaballa on Tuesday, March 22, called on members of the Sangguniang Bayan of San Vicente to accept the long-sought appointment of Cesar Caballero as the new ABC Municipal President.
The ABC seat in San Vicente has been vacant since July 2021, after the arrest of Lovecil Banggot for illegal possesion of firearms.
Zaballa, in his speech during the privilege hour of the regular session of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan, narrated how the supposed to be simple concurrence of Caballero’s appointment turned into a chain of “unfortunate events.”
Nevertheless, he added that he was able to discuss the matter with Atty. Romeo Benitez, Director of Legal and Legislative Liaison Service of DILG.
“During the national conference, I had the honor to discuss with Atty. Benitez of DILG the circumstances faced by PB Caballero concerning the long sought recognition for him to be appointed as ABC president substitute to PB Lovicel Banggot following the latter’s arrest due to illegal possession of firearms last July,” Zaballa said.
He added that Benitez advised him that the legislative members of San Vicente do not have legal rights to hinder or obstruct Caballero from representing the ABC and as Banggot’s successor.
The keypoints that should be remembered in this situation are:
“The DILG, on the other hand, also issued a memorandum mandating PB Caballero to function as the ABC presiden. Just recently, PB Caballero received a letter from DILG authorizing him to function as the representation of ABC, if not so, he will face the charges or legal consequences of his insubordination,” Zaballa said.
“This caused me to decide, together with my ABC presidents all the way from Coron, Kalayaan, Bataraza and other towns to personally settle the matter together with VM Gonzales and other members of their legislation yesterday,” Zaballa said.
Unfortunately, early yesterday, before their scheduled regular session, Gonzales, along with five members of the the town legislation filed a leave application for “unknown reasons.”
At the end of his speech, Zaballa appealed once again to the legislators of San Vicente,” We are at the brink of desperate hope to stop this beating around the bush. The members of the Sangguniang Bayan of San Vicente, on their non-action expresses grave injustice to the ABC seat, and of course, the Liga ng mga Barangay sa Palawan,” Zaballa said.
“As their representation in this respected body, it is my responsibility to ensure that all of my members would function in their 100% capacity and see to it that no man would be left behind,” he added.