• GILBERT P. BAYORAN
A complainant against several barangay officials of Calatrava in Negros Occidental who were disqualified by the Commission on Elections from running in the 2025 midterm elections, due to alleged vote buying, has expressed fears for his life and that of his family.
Roberto Bayarcal, a farmer who filed the complaints against disqualified Barangay Marcelo chairman Arnulfo Libodlibod and several other councilmen of the village, reported that in February 11 last year, he was shot and injured by a suspect that he claimed to be identified with the disqualified barangay captain.
While he survived the attempt on his life, Bayarcal said his left leg was amputated as a result of the shooting incident.
He said the gunman had several accomplices.
In a press briefing, Bayarcal claimed the shooting incident was triggered by his refusal to withdraw the complaints filed against Libodlibod, which led to the disqualifications.
The disqualification of Libodlibod, Kagawads Richard Diotay, Eddy Monterde, Elmor Marcelo, Priscila Patajo, and Joel Rosello stemmed from alleged election offenses committed during the conduct of the Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan elections in October 2023, allegations which the respondents denied.
Bayarcal, who supported barangay chairman candidate Maximo Rezaga Jr. during the 2023 barangay and SK elections, said that if he pursues filing of charges against the suspect who shot him, he fears for his life and that of his family.
Atty. Jovim Entila, counsel of Rezaga, said that Bayarcal can still pursue legal action against the suspect.
Bayarcal also claimed that Libodlibod refused to issue him a certificate of residency, which is a requirement for him to get help in securing an artificial leg.
On the other hand, Rezaga called on the Comelec en banc to expedite the resolution on suspension of Libodlibod, and for Mayor Marilyn Era to act on the leadership vacuum at the barangay council of Marcelo, following the suspension of majority of its officials.
In an interview with Brigada News FM, Diotay said they already filed a motion for reconsideration on the decision of Comelec to disqualify them.
He claimed that it was the Municipal Social Welfare and Development Office and the municipal government of Calatrava who initiated the distribution of cash assistance and relief goods to 20 families affected by a fire, and not them.
Provincial Election Supervisor Atty. Ian Lee Ananoria disclosed that the concerned barangay officials can still appeal the Comelec decision, all the way up to the Supreme Court.*