Panlilio sues mayor over 'quarry issue'
By Ian Ocampo Flora
CITY OF
Panlilio, through provincial legal officer Maria Elissa Velez, filed a complaint against Dungca for alleged unlawful acts and violation of the law on local governance. The filing of the case was made amid the reported dialogue between the governor and the mayor.
Velez said on Tuesday that there were no reasons for the mayor to be surprised, as he already knew about the complaint.
"This should not come as a surprise to Dungca because he knew about this complaint's filing," Lawyer Velez said, adding that Panlilio had informed the mayor about it during their close door meeting last October 18.
It was learned that the case against Dungca was already filed at the Office of the Ombudsman a few hours before their meeting.
The meeting, held in an undisclosed location, was arranged by the two officials' "mutual friend."
The complaint lodged against Dungca cited dishonesty and violations of the Mining Act of 1991 and Tax Ordinance 1-93. "He also violated section 138 of the Local Government Code of when he continued the quarrying in Gugu despite the lack of necessary permits from the Capitol, the act itself is unlawful," Velez added.
Panlilio is not alone in invoking the Local Government Code of 1991.
Dungca, for his part, said that he did not do anything wrong when he insisted on continuing the "desilting" operations. "Ginawa ko lamang ang palagay kong tama sa panahon ng pangagailangan, buhay ng mga kababayan ko ang nakasalalay doon," he said in a separate interview on Tuesday.
He said that his actions were in accordance with the Local Government Code, specifically Article VII, Section 444 which provides that the municipal mayor "may carry out emergency measures that may be necessary during and in the aftermath of man-made and natural disasters and calamities."
"Bilang meyor, may karapatan at responsibilidad akong pangalagaan ang aking mga kababayan. Ang alam ko nag-usap na kami ni Gov Ed. Pero kung may complaint siya sa akin, mayumu ku pung tanggapan," Dungca added.
Velez argued that Dungca should follow procedures and should not resort to an unlawful act under the guise of an 'emergency situation'.
When asked by Sun.Star Pampanga what could appease the Capitol, Velez said that an apology “might” dissuade the filing of the case. "He should apologize, for what he has done," Velez said.
However, Dungca said he will not resort to public apology. "Guto nila mag public apology ako regarding the issue, wala akong dapat ihingi ng apology dahil ginagawa ko lamang ang rseponsibilidad ko bilang meyor" he stressed.
As of Tuesday afternoon, Dungca has yet to receive a copy of the complaint filed against him. But he assured that the desilting at Gugu will still continue. "Yung napag-usapan namin ni Gov regarding sa desilting hindi magbabago yun at magpapatuloy pa rin,".
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