The Sangguniang Panlungsod of Tabaco City suspended the barangay captain of San Roque for one month and one day without pay after finding him guilty of simple neglect of duty.
Authorities based the decision on complaints involving the alleged failure of the barangay captain to act on concerns regarding the prolonged stay of a barangay tanod and his family inside a barangay facility.
Kagawad Cheryl Binalya filed the complaint on January 8, 2026 after she claimed the barangay captain did not act on the grievance committee’s recommendation. She initially filed charges of gross neglect of duty and conduct prejudicial to the best interest of the service.
After hearings, the Sangguniang Panlungsod downgraded the case to simple neglect of duty and dismissed the second complaint due to insufficient evidence.
Binalya accepted the ruling but maintained that the penalty should have been heavier based on the circumstances of the case.
Barangay Captain Elias Bobiles Jr. defended his actions and said he allowed the tanod and his family to stay in the barangay facility out of humanitarian consideration after they lost their private housing.
He also clarified that another tanod stayed in the facility due to his assigned duties as caretaker of the fishport area.
Bobiles said he immediately filed an appeal before the Sangguniang Panlalawigan to request a review of the decision.
He added that he does not blame Kagawad Binalya for filing the complaint, but he believes the matter should have been resolved at the barangay level instead of escalating to a formal case.
Both parties assured that public service in Barangay San Roque will continue and remain unaffected despite the suspension.
