June 4, 2024
HON. BENJAMIN S. ABALOS SR.
City Mayor
Executive Building, City Hall Complex
Maysilo Circle, Mandaluyong City
Dear Mayor Abalos,
I am writing regarding a complaint from our residents, Felix De Jesus and Ma. Corazon Aplasca, who
are involved in a dispute filed before the Lupon.
On May 25, 2024, during the final hearing of this dispute, a verbal commotion occurred. Contrary to
their claims, it was not I who initiated the commotion but the complainant, Felix De Jesus. He questioned
the manner in which the complainants were called, which was 30 minutes apart, as requested by the
respondent. We explained that the property owners, who are the respondents in this dispute, preferred not
to address the complainants as a group since they have different landlords. Although the concern was
similar (requesting an extension of the deadline to vacate the premises), there are two other owners with
different rental agreements. PB Liza, during our second hearing, approved this request for justifiable
reasons presented by the owners-respondents.
Two days before the hearing, we issued the summons. The two other complainants did not object and
complied with the arrangement. However, Felix De Jesus did not. On the day of the hearing, he began
reprimanding me. I attempted to explain the rationale behind the setup, but he responded with a vulgar
insult, "putang ina mo," pointing his finger at me in front of the other Lupons. This prompted the Lupon
members to stand up and demand respect for the Lupon and to not use curses.
I have filed a report in our blotter book regarding this incident, and a copy is attached.
As a Lupon member, I hold a position of authority. From the start of the hearing, over three weeks ago,
Felix De Jesus consistently displayed antagonism and disrespect towards the parties involved, making
inappropriate side comments. We did not reprimand him, respecting his freedom of speech. However,
the incident on May 25 was a blatant act of disrespect towards the Lupon's authority. Do you think we,
the Lupon members, would react this way if there was no provocation on his part?
Mayor Ben, I have been appointed as a Lupon member since 2018 and have acted as the Assistant Lupon
Secretary since then. I have no record of being complained about in relation to my function. In fact, our
Lupong Tagapamayapa has brought pride to the city for being the first barangay to be awarded First
Placer in the Regional Lupong Tagapamayapa Incentive Award (LTIA). PB Liza always emphasizes to
every member the importance of being regarded as "persons in authority." Indeed, if I had taken that
incident personally and to protect my right as a Lupon member, I could have filed a direct contempt and
verbal assault charge against him for what he said. But I chose not to, to keep the peace.
Before the sender makes sweeping generalizations that "this is not the kind of barangay services we
constituents are expecting," he needs to realize that our barangay would not have secured the first national
passer award for the Seal of Good Local Governance for the Barangay (SGLGB) if our services were not
in utmost good faith. Only people who are against us harbor such impressions, while the super majority
do not. And for political reasons that they belong to the other side of the fence, it is understandable.
Lastly, his beginning statement that goes, "This also raises a question about what she is doing at our
Barangay office doing a job of a barangay Lupon" can be explained simply: First, there is no prohibition
for any elected or appointed public servant to sit as a Lupon member as long as one has the qualifications
and none of the disqualifications. Second, the Lupong Tagapamayapa of Barangay New Zaniga meets
only once a week, and that falls on a Saturday, which is a no-work day for me. Third, being a Lupon is
my act of volunteerism and part of my task in nation-building. I have made my contribution to our
community, in particular, and our nation, in general.
Thank you for your attention to this matter.
Respecfully yours,
Nova Q. Santos
cc:
MS. FLORDELIZA D. DE LEON
HUMAN RESOURCES DEPT HEAD II
