PB en banc to handle case against Loot

THERE will be no special committee of the Cebu Provincial Board that will handle the administrative complaint against Daanbantayan Mayor Ma. Luisa Loot.

During yesterday’s session, PB Member Joven Mondigo, who chairs the committee on complaints and investigations, recommended that the complaint be tackled by the PB board.

Mondigo said there are issues such as health and sanitation that is intertwined in the complaint.

Mondigo’s proposal was approved by the presiding officer, speaker pro-tempore Julian “Teban” Daan and duly seconded by PB Member Rimobapil Holganza.

Daan also said the case will be discussed during their caucus next week.

The Provincial Secretary received last week the joint complaint-affidavit from six residents of Daanbantayan town.

The complainants are Bernardito Luche Jr., Virgilio Misa, Alicia Diaz, Juanico Diaz, Emily Alburo and Ma. Lelani Monton.

They are charging Loot for culpable violation of the constitution, opression, misconduct in office, gross negligence or dereliction of duty and abuse of authority in relation to the mayor’s order to close 25 cemeteries in the town.

The filing of administrative complaints against Loot was decided in a Nov. 21 meeting with Cebu Gov. Gwendolyn Garcia, officials of the Daanbantayan Roman Catholic Church, Department of Health in Region 7, Commission on Human Rights in Region 7, Cebu Provincial Police Office (CPPO) and the complainants.

Loot’s son, PB Member Sun Shimura said he wont ’inhibit from the investigation. Correspondent Carmel Loise Matus