ILOILO CITY — The village council of Lanjagan in Ajuy, lloilo has declared their town’s vice-mayor as “persona non grata” for his alleged unruly behavior during their fiesta last April 23.
Aside from declaring Ajuy Vice Mayor Robert Villaruz as ‘persona non grata,” Lanjagan outgoing village chief Edito Edillon said they have also filed charges against him before the Office of the Ombudsman.
In an interview over Bombo Radyo here Friday afternoon, Edillon said the declaration came after Villaruz allegedly showed “unpleasing behavior” to two of their barangay tanod (village watchmen) when the two called his attention as his car was parked at a curve – in violation of their “double parking” policy.
The watchmen reportedly “politely” asked Villaruz to properly park his car.
But, instead the vice mayor allegedly raised his voice and even grabbed one of the two village watchmen by the collar.
Edillon said they filed Oppression, Grave Miscount and Conduct Prejudicial to the interest of the Service and Betrayal of Public Trust against the vice mayor.
“The hearing is not yet scheduled,” he said.
Villaruz, in a phone interview on Saturday, denied the allegations, saying there is a “political motive” behind it.
He said what really happened that day was different from the version given by the barangay officials.
The vice mayor said he was having lunch in one of the councilor’s houses when the father of Sangguniang Bayan Member Carol Espinosa came and spat at him.
Villaruz said that the father of Councilor Espinosa is his uncle. “I told him to respect me because I respect him as his nephew,” he said.
However, Villaruz refused to make further comments saying there are still a lot of issues being thrown against him and that he is “not guilty.” (PNA)
