Photo taken from Nilo Abellera Jr.’s Facebook page
DAVAO CITY, Philippines — The frequent absences of a city councilor here caused the removal of his leadership and membership in various committees on Tuesday.
The city council removed Councilor Nilo Abellera, Jr. as head of the committee on peace and public safety, co-chairperson of the committee on barangay affairs, and member of the committees on finance; games and amusement; and, tourism and beautification.
Majority Floor Leader Bernard Al-ag delivered the motion to declare as vacant all positions held by Abellera. Councilor Ma. Belen Sunga Acosta assumes all vacant positions.
In an interview with Davao Breaking News on Tuesday, Vice Mayor Paolo Duterte said Abellera was always not around.
“As I’ve heard, he was always sick also. Like now, he is on sick leave,” Duterte said. He said Abellera’s absences should not impede the works of the committees where he was part of.
Duterte said the city council tried to ask Abellera to sign his resignation, but Abellera failed to resign.
Abellera figured recently in the alleged Davao Group along with Vice Mayor Duterte and lawyer Manases Carpio who is the husband of City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio. Abellera was named by customs broker Mark Taguba as part of the group which he accused of asking money from brokers.
The councilor admitted meeting Taguba in Davao City, but he denied his accusations during the August 31 hearing of the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee on the P6.4-billion shabu shipment from China. (davaotoday.com)
