A former mayor of Rodriguez, Rizal is facing a complaint of graft, grave misconduct, oppression and acts prejudicial to the best interest of the service before the Office of the Ombudsman for alleged harassment.
In a 12-page complaint, representatives of a transport group—Common Transport Service Cooperative—led by its general manager, Deltha Bernardo, said they entered into a contract of lease with option to purchase parcels of land in Barangay San Isidro in Aug. 2018 to serve as their office and terminal garage for their fleet of electronic jeepneys in compliance with the directive of the Department of Transportation's modernization program.
Bernardo said in Sept. 2018, the municipal government issued them a locational clearance for their transport terminal.
However, on May 1, 2019, the barangay officials directed them to vacate the place since the land belonged to village executive Karen Mae Hernandez, who claimed to be the land owner.
In July, Bernardo said, municipal engineer Alexander Almario revoked the transport group's locational clearance. Come December 17 last year, a group of 20 men, led by barangay executive officer Germogenes Didulo, dismantled the terminal's fence, Bernard said.
She complained that they tried to submit their application for the renewal of their business permit on Jan. 16 this year, to no avail.
Named respondents were Cecilio Hernandez, who was then the mayor, and his daughter, barangay official Karen Mae Hernandez; Almario; employees Danny Santos and Virgilio Calag; barangay secretary Rose Marie Bayanado; Didulo; supposed lot owner Erlyn Abrigo; Jojo Brender, and Rosanna Brender.
On Feb. 2, 2020, the cooperatives' officers noticed the presence of the former Rodriguez mayor in the disputed area with eight uniformed barangay public safety officers.
"Judging from the totality of their actions, the respondents and eight John Does, it is obvious that they are acting in conspiracy with respondent Cecilio Hernandez who is waging an illegal operation and sowing terror against members who are engaged in legitimate business operation that is imbued with public service," the complaint read.