4 barangay kgds get 1-month suspension for ignoring flag rites

By Manly M. Ugalde

TABACO CITY, Albay — Four barangay kagawads of Barangay San Roque in this city have been suspended for one month without pay after repeatedly failing to attend the mandatory Monday flag-raising ceremony.

One of the suspended officials, a female barangay kagawad, reportedly failed to attend the weekly flag ceremony for six months. According to reports, the three other suspended kagawads followed the same practice in Barangay San Roque, which is located near the city’s downtown commercial district.

Mayor Reynaldo Bragais signed the suspension order following a resolution approved by the Sangguniang Panlungsod, headed by Vice Mayor Glenda Ong Bongao. The suspended officials were identified as Cherrel A. Binalla, Mark Anthony Balingbing, Rodel Bonaobra, and Jonathan Broqueza.

In its unanimous resolution dated July 28, the city council said the four kagawads violated Republic Act No. 8491, or the Flag and Heraldic Code of the Philippines, which requires government offices and educational institutions to conduct flag-raising ceremonies every Monday and obliges public officials and employees to attend them. The resolution stemmed from a complaint filed by Barangay Chairman Eliseo “Toto” Bobiles, who alleged that the four officials repeatedly disregarded the mandatory ceremony, in violation of Civil Service rules.

According to Bobiles’ complaint, Binalla alone accumulated a total of 66 absences over a two-year period.

The suspension drew mixed reactions on social media. While many users expressed support for the city’s action, two retired bankers—Armando Uy of Banco de Oro in Legazpi City and his cousin Ramon Uy of the Bank of the Philippine Islands—described the one-month suspension as “weak” and “disturbing.” They argued that public officials, especially those serving at the barangay level, should set an example by faithfully attending the weekly flag ceremony.

“Ako nga, I have to stop my car whenever I see an ongoing flag-raising ceremony in schools,” Armando Uy said. “Even ordinary citizens show respect for the national flag and anthem.”

For her part, Binalla said she deliberately stopped attending the Monday flag ceremony because she wanted to avoid what she described as Chairman Bobiles’ public reprimands during the program. She claimed the chairman frequently criticized her in response to her social media posts raising alleged irregularities in barangay operations, including discrepancies in fuel expenses for rescue operations.

Binalla said the three other suspended kagawads shared similar grievances, alleging that they, too, were publicly criticized by the barangay chairman during flag ceremonies.

Responding to the allegations, Bobiles said barangay concerns should be discussed during regular barangay sessions instead of being aired on social media. He maintained that he preferred resolving issues through official channels rather than through online posts.

Media reports also quoted the four suspended kagawads as saying they are willing to resume attending the weekly flag-raising ceremony, provided that the barangay chairman refrains from publicly criticizing them during the program.