“It’s a sad day indeed but life must go on,” Bacolod Barangay Captain Joseph Delos Santos said on Friday, August 4, following his suspension for another six months.
“I’m signing off in my political career but not in serving my people,” he said in a Facebook post.
The Bacolod Sangguniang Panlungsod on Wednesday suspended him as Barangay 16 captain for another six months for gross neglect of duty for five unjustified consecutive absences from barangay sessions in violation of the provisions of the Local Government Code of 1991.
De los Santos said it was his third suspension.
“I am humbled by this setback in my life but it will not stop me from dreaming of a happy ending in my struggle. Thank you to all those people who believe in me and who keep pace and march on with me every step of the way”, de los Santos said in his Facebook post.
“Sorry for my shortcomings and mistakes although I tried my best but came up wanting and with utmost respect to those in power who passed judgment based on their conscience probably and to Mayor Albee (Benitez), please forgive me for my perceived mistakes against you, may you find it in your heart to forgive me and thank you for the help you extended to me when my late brother was hospitalized,” he 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.*