Brgy. Captain, 3 Kagawad face complaint over P10,000 honorarium deduction; Insist move was majority-approved

SANTIAGO CITY, Isabela – A barangay captain and three of his barangay kagawad in Santiago City are facing an administrative complaint after fellow elected officials questioned the legality of a P10,000 deduction from their monthly honoraria, a move the respondents insist was approved by the majority of the barangay council.

The respondents include the Punong Barangay and three kagawad of Barangay Rizal, Santiago City.

The complaint stemmed from the alleged deduction of P10,000 from the monthly honorarium of each elected barangay official, which the complainants claimed was implemented without sufficient legal authority.

Under the Local Government Code of 1991, an honorarium is the monthly financial compensation granted to barangay officials in recognition of the services they render to their communities. Unlike regular salaries, honoraria are governed by existing laws, local ordinances, and approved budgets.

According to a report by XFM-Santiago, Barangay Councilor Victor Pagbilao questioned the deduction, saying it lacked a legal basis and subjected elected officials to unfair treatment.

The complainants are asking authorities to determine whether the respondents violated existing laws and regulations in implementing the deduction.

In response, Punong Barangay Tyrone Buck denied any abuse of authority, maintaining that the measure underwent deliberation and was approved by the majority of the barangay council before it was implemented.

Buck explained that the P10,000 deducted from each elected official's honorarium was intended to provide additional financial assistance to the barangay's 185 employees and volunteers, who had long been requesting increases in their salaries or allowances.

The barangay captain maintained that the measure complied with the proper process and was intended to improve the welfare of barangay personnel. He also suggested that the complaint was politically motivated.

“Samantala, bumwelta si Kapitan Tyrone Buck at iginiit na dumaan sa proseso ang nasabing pagkaltas ng halagang P10,000 matapos ipanukala at pagbotohan ang nasabing hakbang, kung kaya’t nanaig ang majority votes na nagsasabing magkaltas ng nasabing halaga ng pera na ipapamahagi sa 185 na emplyedo ng barangay. Ang bawat P10,000 na kinakaltas sa lahat ng elected officials ng barangay ay direktang pakikinabangan ng mga empleyado at volunteers na matagal na umanong sumisigaw ng dagdag na sweldo o allowance,” XFM-Santiago reported.

An initial hearing on the administrative complaint has already been conducted before the Santiago City Sangguniang Panglungsod. Further proceedings are expected as authorities determine whether the deduction complied with applicable laws and regulations and whether any administrative liability exists.