Jagna Mayor Joseph A. Ranola has filed a formal complaint before the office of the Ombudsman thru the Office of the Provincial Prosecutor (OPP) against Vice Mayor Theodore Abrenilla M.D. and his wife Dr. Belinda T. Abrenilla for their alleged violation of health protocols during their arrival in Tagbilaran City on February 6, 2021.
In his complaint, Ranola said he filed the charges against the respondents for breaching Executive Order No. 54, series of2020 of Governor Arthur Yap.
He cited the following provision of section 5. E of the EO that the Abrenillas allegedly violated: “An APOR shall undergo a PCR test not more than72 hours prior to his/her arrival in the province, and if the test results are negative, he/she may be permitted to go only to the specified place/s for the purpose of his/her visit and is discouraged to go anywhere outside of the specified areas and limit interaction with individuals other than those directly involved in the purpose of his/her visit, provided, that, if he/she shall stay for more than five days he/she shall undergo a repeat PCR test on the 5thday and shall remain in the quarantine facility until he/she receives a negative result.”
The mayor has attached as evidence documents, such s affidavits of the witnesses, investigation report, minutes of the meetings apparently to support his allegations against the Abrenillas.
In his letter-complaint dated March 1, 2021asked the Ombudsman-Visayas to conduct a preliminary investigation and “please file the corresponding information as the evidence and other documents may warr
He also requested the OPP thru office-in-charge Prosecutor Atty.Eric M. Ucat to relay the said complaint to the Ombudsman.
According to the report of the fact-finding team, the couple was traveling as Authorized Persons Outside Residence (APOR). But they have “no mention order which indicates the itinerary of travel was submitted.”
They have submitted “negative RT-PCR results for the couple and certificate of acceptance from barangay Pagina.”
The fact-finding team has enumerated the following alleged breach committed by the Abrenillas:
*The couple used the SB van knowing well that it is not authorized as the JEMRU van was deployed and was designated to transport the couple to their places of destination.
*Dra. Belinda T. Abrenilla, VM Ted’s wife, personally handedPersonal Protective Equipment (PPE) to Wewen, the designated SB van driver to be worn by him as the couple was transported from the port to JJs SeafoodVillage. Everybody is presumed to be a carrier of the virus thus any APOR or is not supposed to hand anything to the driver or anybody to avoid contact and possible transmission of the virus, especially that VM Barenilla and his wife are coming from Cebu, an area which is virus hotspot.
*The couple lunched at JJs Seafood Village which is a public place. Passing-by JJs Seafood Village was not included in the couple’s itinerary and as an APOR, VM Ted and wife should head straight to their destination. And
*Dra. Belinda T. Abrenilla ordered the SB staff Brian (Cuevas) a PPE which she handed personally and assist them on their needs. The SB staff was not trained on how to don and doff the PPE properly.
The findings sheet was signed by Police chief Joseph Berondo as head of the team, DOH representative Abelardo O. Anana, MHO Dr. Arnold DasioM.Cagulada, MLGOO DILG Ismael Igcalinos,MPDC Engr. Peter M. Jamero, MDRRMO AljayAgustineB. Lecciones,acting MDRRM officer Albert B. Radaza and Exec Asst to the mayor Engr.Antonio V. Ranque.
This writer texted the vice-mayor to get his side but to no avail as he sent no reply as of press time yesterday. (rvo)