21st City Council OKs rules for administrative cases vs. barangay officials

To streamline the handling of complaints and ensure due process in its proceedings as a quasi-judicial body, the 21st City Council, during its 2nd regular session on Monday, presided over by Vice Mayor Bebot Rodriguez, adopted the rules of procedure for cases filed against elected barangay officials.

These rules will govern proceedings before the committee on ethics and blue ribbon, which acts as a quasi-judicial body according to Sections 60 to 68 of the Local Government Code of 1991 and related issuances and jurisprudence.

Section 62 of the Local Government Code empowers the Sangguniang Panlungsod to hear and decide such cases, including the authority to adopt implementing rules and regulations (IRR), and to consider judicial decisions and legal opinions issued by the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) so as to adhere with due process mandates, as outlined under Section 50 (6) of RA 7160.

While summary in nature, the committee’s proceedings shall still observe the basic tenets of administrative due process and are not bound by the strict technicalities of court procedures, The Gavel further learned.

The legislation was sponsored by Councilor Edgar S. Cabanlas, chair of the committee on laws and rules, and approved by the members of the Council. (JAO/SP)