THE Angeles City Political Affairs Office (Acpao) has denounced some members of the Pampanga Provincial Board (PB) for allegedly denying Barangay Cutcut chairman Robin Nepomuceno of his seat as an ex-officio member of the City Council.

During Tuesday's session, the City Council recognized Barangay Pandan chairman Jerry Alejandrino instead of Nepomuceno. This after Alejandrino was able to present before the council a confirmation from the Liga ng mga Barangay (LB) national office.

Acpao chief Paolo Bucud claimed that Nepomuceno is the duly elected LB president.

According to him, the LB elections conducted on December 29, 2007 was official and was made in proper procedure under Memorandum Circular (MC) 151 of the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) dated November 19, 2007.

Bucud said the election was witnessed by DILG City Director Myrvy Apostol-Favia and Commission on Election (Comelec) representative lawyer Herson Valmores, election officer IV.

Bucud criticized the act of Alejandrino describing it as "very unbecoming of a public servant and a gentleman."

"He (Alejandrino) knows for himself that he was not the elected president of LB and should have given his seat and gave proper turn over to Honorable Robin Nepomuceno," Bucud said.

About 18 village chiefs, an absolute majority of the 33 barangay leaders supported Nepomuceno at the session. This obviously showed that the Nepomuceno won the election, Bacud added.

"Election is a numbers game and even a Grade 1 student would know that 18 is greater than 15. Alejandrino should review the word 'delicadeza'. It is very contradicting that he even voted NO when the amendment to the Executive Budget for the additional funds for barangays was voted upon. How can he say 'no' when in fact he should be happy that funds are being given to the Barangays?" Bucud said.

Nepomuceno allowed Alejandrino to "temporarily" assume as LB president pending his application for confirmation with the LB national office for the sake of the Angeleños.

Nepomuceno claimed he won in the LB election and said that his sense of open mindedness and humility caused him to stand from the council.

According to him, he does not want to delay the passing of the 2008 executive budget. The delaying of the executive budget would hamper the projects needed for the barangay and the city in general.

Bucud said majority of the people who attended the session lauded Nepomuceno's giving way of Alejandrino.

- SUN STAR PAMPANGA