DAVAO CITY — A drunk barangay councilor is now in hot water after a lady Locally Stranded Individual (LSI) who is one of the Persons Under Monitoring in the isolation facility accused him of making sexual advances and even forced some LSI’s for a drinking spree while on quarantine in Barangay Nagpan, Malungon, Saranggani Province.
In a press statement issued by Malungon Information Office it stated that Mayor Maria Theresa D. Constantino blew her top upon learning that Nagpan Barangay Councilor Rolly Tamulon repeatedly went to the village isolation facility with intoxicating liquor and invited other PUMs while the liquor ban is in place, and worse, he reportedly made sexual advances to a lady PUM.
The Nagpan isolation facility is fifteen minutes away from Municipal Hall.
Municipal information officer Isagani Palma told Newsline that based on the information gathered by Constantino revealed, Tamulon went to the isolation facility morning of June 6 and visited the isolation facility in the guise of helping volunteers to serve food for those in isolation and at one point called the lady near the kitchen.
“As alleged, he went back later in the night ‘tipsy’ and even brought a bottle of liquor and asked other male PUMs to drink with him. Those in isolation was not in a position to decline the invitation because he is a village leader, but, while they were on a drinking spree, he reportedly kissed and hugged a lady PUM who struggled to stay away from him,” Palma told Newsline.
On June 7, Palma revealed, Tamulan went to the isolation facility and apologized to the lady. This time the PUM took a video and had it reported to a local radio station and the same video went viral in said area.
The Lady and her family talked with Mayor Constantino a day before she called the members of the barangay council revealed that the incident happened in the hallway where Tamulon even shared liquor to male PUMs and she was called to join then but later made rude advances and threatened to harm her should she return to her isolation facility.
Constantino on June 15, called on the Barangay Captain and Tamulon and immediately ordered a full-dress investigation both by the Barangay Council and the honorable members of the 14th Sangguniang Bayan.
Constantino confronted Tamulan and told him “Dili naton ni pwede palampason o konsintihon (I will not take this sitting down and I will not condone)”.
The Mayor also issued a memorandum dated June 15, ordering the barangay council to submit within 48 hours, an explanation on the breach of protocol in the management of the barangay isolation unit that includes the bringing in of liquor by Tamulon who is a none member of the BHERTS, and “those who were involved”.
“As public servants, may we be impelled that we are duty-bound to behave with utmost prudence and integrity,” said Constantino, who likewise makes clear that the management of the BIUs is separate from the Local Government Unit-run isolation facilities.
She also reminded the Barangay Council on the management restriction of the BIU for any visitors, family members and relatives, while a subject PUM is admitted to the BIU for quarantine.
As of this publication, Constantino has yet to receive the explanation of the Barangay council why liquor was allowed inside the facility and why Tamulon was allowed to enter the facility which is only intended for trained health workers. Tamulon has yet to submit his explanation to the Mayor’s Office.-Editha Z. Caduaya
