2 village execs in Manila probed for failing to submit road inventory

MANILA, Philippines — The local government of Manila disclosed on Wednesday that it is now investigating the case of two barangay chairmen who failed to submit their respective road inventories.

Julius Leonen, Chief of the Manila Public Information Office, said that out of the 896 barangay in the country’s capital, two barangays failed to meet the deadline of the submission last August 13, Tuesday.

“The matter has already been forwarded to the Manila City Legal Office for the determination of filing of appropriate cases,” Leonen said in a statement.

Leonen did not provide specific details on the barangays concern pending the investigation but said it was from Tondo and Sampaloc areas.

It could also be noted that Pasig Mayor Vico Sotto recently reminded barangay chairmen in his city against the closure of public roads.

“Bawal magsara ng mga pampublikong kalsada. May mga barangay na nagbebenta pa ng sticker,” Sotto said in a Facebook post.

“Lahat tayo ay maaaring makasuhan at masuspindi. Wag na nating paabutin sa ganito. Salamat po,” he added.

According to Sotto, this is in compliance with the order of President Rodrigo Duterte in bringing roads back to the public.

Duterte earlier ordered the Department of Interior and Local Government to give local government units 60 days to clear the roads from obstruction.

The first local government in Metro Manila who managed to comply with this directive was Marikina City, headed by Mayor Marcelino Teodoro. /je

READ: Marikina beats 60-day deadline to clear roads