Barangay Captain Joseph Delos Santos of Barangay 16 in Bacolod City has been suspended for another six months for gross neglect of duty effective immediately, Bacolod Councilor Al Victor Espino said on Thursday, August 3.
The Committee on Laws, Ordinances, and Good Government of the Bacolod Sangguniang Panlungsod chaired by Espino in its order on Wednesday, August 2, suspended Delos Santos for five unjustified consecutive absences from barangay sessions in violation of the provisions of the Local Government Code of 1991.
The administrative complaint was filed against him by Barangay 16 kagawads Stella De La Peña, Franz Familiaran, Jude Bryan Alson, Cristina Ligaya, Jie Rodolfo Madrigal, Ermelo Alintano, and Winsie Jesson Billones
“To be held liable for gross negligence, a public official must have intentionally shirked his duty, fully aware that he is duty-bound to perform. Simply, gross negligence involves consciously avoiding to do one’s work,” the order said.
Delos Santos is duty-bound to attend the regular sessions of the Sangguniang Barangay being a public officer, which he blatantly disregarded, it added.
De los Santos was the second ranked barangay kagawad of Barangay 16 in the 2018 barangay elections, who became barangay captain following the deaths of Punong Barangay Nelson Ligaya Jr. and Erwin Arela, the first ranked kagawad.
The SP had meted a six month suspension on him in December 2022 for a separate complaint for grave abuse of authority, grave misconduct, serious dishonesty and conduct prejudicial to the best interest of the service.
He was cited for the unreasonable delay in the release of the honoraria of the SB members, and for falsifying the approved annual budget of the barangay, Espino said earlier.*