COUNCILOR Wilberto Al-ag on Tuesday took a swipe at Barangay Bantol chairman Edwin Fiel saying the former’s obstruction to the gift-giving activity on Sunday in Barangay Bantol, Marilog District was “politically influenced.”
The statement came on the heels of the heated conversation between Al-ag and Fiel that went viral online on Sunday, Feb. 23.
Al-ag told reporters on Tuesday that they were supposed to distribute 1,200 food packs with the Department of Social Welfare and Development but only 500 arrived as the barangay captain reportedly barred his residents from attending the said event.
“Gi-harass mi sa isa ka kapitan, tulo mi ka speaker, ako ang last, ning-abot ang kapitan gusto niya undangon among programa,” Al-ag said.
He stressed a letter was sent to the office of the barangay chairman Fiel before the activity. However, the latter did not allow them to do it in the covered court, so they were forced to find another area.
Al-ag said Fiel’s move was more “political” because one of the conditions of the chairman, he added, is that the camp is prohibited from hanging campaign posters.
“Wala niya gi-allow, naa syay kondisyon daghan, dili magkatagbo among kondisyon so nangita mig alternative,” he said stressing the event happened two kilometers away from the barangay hall.
In an interview with Bombo Radyo on Monday, Fiel said the letter stated that the activity was scheduled at 10:30 a.m. on Feb. 8, 2025. However, Al-ag’s camp did not inform them of the new schedule.
“Wala silay sulat nga nagpahibalo, bisan verbal lang gud wala man, ang akoa ato kung nakabalo mi, padalhan nako ug barangay police para mo man sa traffic,” Fiel stressed.
He added he did not bar the entry of the DSWD but the personnel should wear IDs and no politician must be present during the distribution.
“Dili man ko mobalibad na og assistance kay para man na sa mga tao kwarta man na sa gobyerno,” Fiel added.
For his part, Al-ag explained that traffic lasted only for about 10 minutes while unloading the food packs.
When asked about the activity possibly violating Comelec Memorandum No. 24-09014 on Jan. 8, 2025, he maintained he did not violate any as his camp was just providing assistance.
The Comelec memorandum granted DSWD Secretary Rex Gatchalian’s request to exempt 28 services under DSWD provided that no candidates or politicians shall be present during the distribution.
“Ang ayuda kami lang nag0facilitate ana, kung dunay ayuda, amoang truck gikargahan, kami nagbutang ug bangko, tubig, pagkaon para sa mga tawo, unya di na noon mi didto pwede?” Al-ag stressed.
He said there was no communication between the camp and Fiel after the viral video but he said he is open to reconciliation.
