The Association of Barangay Captains (ABC) from different Palawan towns on Monday, March 21, convened at the Municipal Hall of San Vicente to finally address the long non-action of members of the Sangguniang Bayan (SB) on the appointment of Punong Barangay Cesar Cabello as ABC president of the town.
The ABC presidency of San Vicente has long been vacated following the arrest of ABC President Lovicel Banggat last October by CIDG operatives for illegal possession of firearms.
Headed by Liga ng mga Barangay sa Palawan President and Sangguniang Panlalawigan Ex-Officio Member Board Member Ferdinand “Inan” Zaballa, liga presidents from far-flung towns in Palawan, including Kalayaan, convened at the Municipal Hall in hopes to personally discuss the matter with the members of the Sangguniang Bayan and by Vice-Mayor Antonio Gonzales.
Unfortunately, the meeting did not take place after Gonzales and five other SB members urgently filed a forced leave application early morning after allegedly hearing that Zaballa, along with other members of Palawan Liga are in town regarding the matter.
“Nakakalungkot dahil for some unknown reason, wala sila rito para mapag-usapan na sana namin ang appointment ni PB Caballero,” Zaballa said.
During an initial interview, he said that Caballero recently received a memorandum from the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) mandating him to assume the seat of ABC head as soon as possible.
“As per DILG memor, hindi ko matatanggap na makakasuhan ang isang miyembro namin dahil lang sa mga delaying tactics na ginagawa sa kanya ng SB. This is unfair and unjust sa parte ng bawat barangay sa San Vicente dahil hindi makapag-function as a whole dahil walang representation ang ABC sa SB,” Zaballa said.
Caballero is currently running as SB member under San Vicente Mayor Amy Alvarez’s line-up for May 2022 elections.
Palawan Daily asked Alvarez if the on-going actions of Gonzales and some other SM members regarding Caballero’s appointment has something to do with politics.
“Politika ito. Kasi tumatakbo si PB Caballero under my line-up. Ito ang totoong nangyayari sa San Vicente. Dahil sa selfishness nila, ang nagsa-suffer ay ang ibang sektor, ang Liga, at ang bawat barangay. Ito ‘yung sinasabi nilang aksiyon agad, ganitong aksiyon ang ginagawa nila,” Alvarez said.
The lady mayor and Gonzales have not been in good terms, a thing she doesn’t deny. Both of them will also vie for the mayoral seat on the upcoming elections.
“Matagal na. Kung ako ang target nila, lumaban sila. Pero huwag na silang mandamay ng ibang tao. So sana nakikita ito ng lahat. Ako before, hindi ako nagsasalita but this time dapat magsalita na ako,” Alvarez said.
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