• GILBERT P. BAYORAN
La Castellana Councilor Donato “Natnat” Dumaguit, who is now facing charges of large scale estafa after being linked to a police recruitment scam, faces possible expulsion for unexplained absences during regular sessions of the Sangguniang Bayan.
Councilor Leonardo Bacquian, chairperson of the La Castellana Sangguniang Bayan committee on Rules, yesterday said that they will hold a special session on Monday next week, to pass a resolution recommending to the Sangguniang Panlalawigan the expulsion of Dumaguit from municipal council.
This was after the Sangguniang Bayan failed to muster a two thirds vote during its regular session yesterday, as it sought to expel Dumaguit for his series of unexplained absences in its regular sessions.
Dumaguit stated earlier that he reportedly fears for his life.
Bacquian said that the Provincial Legal Office cited the Local Government Code, which provides that a member of the municipal council who commits at least three successive, unexplained absences in the regular session can be expelled.
Section 50 of the LGC, which is the Internal Rules of Procedure of the municipal/city council, states that “the discipline of members for disorderly behavior and absences without justifiable cause for four (4) consecutive sessions for which they may be censored, reprimanded or excluded from the session, suspended for not more than 60 days or expelled; provided that the penalty of suspension or expulsion shall require the concurrence of at least two/third votes of the Sanggunian members.”
Dumaguit had been skipping sessions after about 43 complainants accused him of allegedly mulcting money from them, in exchange for assured slots in the PNP that never materialized.
Bacquian said Dumaguit’s absences adversely affected the function of the municipal council as his signature is needed on pertinent documents.
He added that they have given Dumaguit ample notice and time to hear his side, but to no avail.
“We have no choice but to vote for his expulsion, we cannot allow that public service will be further hindered by his absences,” Bacquian said.
On the threats of Dumaguit to pursue complaints against her before the Ombudsman, La Castellana Mayor Alme Rhumyla Nicor Mangilimutan yesterday said that she will face those squarely.
After being victimized by Dumaguit and his cohort, complainants sought the help of Mangilimutan, who used to be a police officer.*
