The Sangguniang Bayan members of La Castellana, Negros Occidental, on Wednesday, Nov. 15, failed to muster the two-third votes required to recommend the expulsion of a colleague for ten successive unexplained absences from their SB sessions
Councilor Leonardo Bacquian, SB Committee on Rules chairperson, said they were unable to vote for the imposition of sanctions on Councilor Donato “Natnat” Dumaguit because there were not enough SB members present.
They needed the votes of seven of ten SB members to meet the two-thirds requirement.
Dumaguit is facing complaints for large scale estafa before the Negros Occidental Prosecutor’s Office for the alleged illegal recruitment of La Castellana residents to join the police force for a fee.
Bacquian said the SB will hold a special session on Monday to pass a resolution recommending the expulsion of Dumaguit to the Sangguniang Panlalawigan.
The Provincial Legal Office earlier cited the Local Government Code that provides that a member of the municipal council who commits at least three successive unexplained absences from the SB regular sessions can be expelled.
Bacquian said Dumaguit’s absences have adversely affected the function of the municipal council as his signature is needed on pertinent documents.
He and his colleagues have exhausted all procedures to afford Dumaguit due process, Bacquian said.
Bacquian said that practically all of them have tried to convince Dumaguit to show up at the SB as they are more than willing to hear his side.
Dumaguit refused claiming that he fears for his life, he said.
La Castellana Mayor Rhummyla Nicor Mangilimutan said the SP can vote to recommend the expulsion of Dumaguit, which will then have to be forwarded to the Negros Occidental Sangguniang Panlalawigan or the court.
The Sangguniang Panlalawigan or the court are the ones vested with the authority to order the expulsion of the councilor, she said.
She said the SB prefers that it be forwarded to the Sangguniang Panlalawigan and Dumaguit will have the right to file an appeal before the Office of the President.*