By Rowena Cruz DILG Sec. Abalos (Photo from DILG Sec. Abalos/FB) MAUBAN, Quezon - Interior and Local Government Secretary Benhur Abalos ...
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| DILG Sec. Abalos (Photo from DILG Sec. Abalos/FB) |
MAUBAN, Quezon - Interior and Local Government Secretary Benhur Abalos Jr. has initiated a formal investigation into grave allegations of misconduct leveled against Municipal Local Government Operation Officer (MLGOO) Reyza Enriquez-Lagar of Mauban, Quezon Province.
In a letter to Abalos, approximately 20 barangay officials have filed a complaint alleging Lagar has overstepped her authority by instituting policies that obstruct local government operations and may involve illegal financial practices.
The primary accusation centers on Lagar's insistence on an additional layer of review for barangay budget ordinances, a practice that directly contradicts the Local Government Code (LGC). This unauthorized policy, the officials claim, has caused significant delays in budget approval. As of the investigation's start, only a few budgets have been reviewed, despite being months into the fiscal year.
“Mag kaka lahatian na ng taon 3 o 5 pa lang sa 40 barangay ng Mauban, ang kanyang na review” according the to the letter. The LGC provides that every Sept. 15 of each year, the barangay must start preparing their budget for the next year. Lagar was appointed in Mauban, Quezon last July 2023.
Furthermore, the complaint alleges that Lagar has prevented barangay funds from being utilized while her review is pending. She is also accused of demanding payments for seminars using unauthorized receipts – actions that could potentially expose barangay officials to criminal prosecution and administrative sanctions.
In response to these serious allegations, DILG Undersecretary for Local Government, Marlo Iringan, will summon Lagar for questioning. This step is crucial to upholding due process and ensuring a thorough and impartial investigation before the department renders a final decision.
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