• GILBERT P. BAYORAN
A councilor of La Castellana in Negros Occidental, who was tagged in a recruitment scam that reportedly victimized 47 aspiring police officers, has been expelled from the Municipal Council.
Mayor Alme Rhummyla Mangilimutan said on Monday (March 18) that the expulsion of Councilor Donato Dumaguit was decided by the remaining seven council members due to his 14 absences in the regular sessions.
His expulsion was concurred by the Provincial Legal Office, based on the recommendation and decision of the Municipal Council, she added.
Dumaguit was replaced by Kent Magnabe, a nurse by profession, who ranked ninth among the candidates for councilor in the 2022 elections.
Magnabe, accompanied by Mangilimutan, took his oath of office before Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson on March 18 at the Provincial Capitol in Bacolod City.
Mangilimutan said that the expulsion of Dumaguit has nothing to do with the cases filed against him before the court.
The mayor added that she is looking forward that Magnabe would be one of the effective, committed and efficient members of the Municipal Council.
Magnabe, a member of United Negros Alliance, said he is elated by his appointment as he thanked Mangilimutan for recommending him to replace Dumaguit.
He assured La Castellana residents that he will do his utmost best in serving them. | GB
