Association of Barangay Captains (ABC) city federation president Faro Cabalit will be facing a recall petition in the coming days. Tagbilaran Mayor Dan Lim revealed the brewing recall petition against Cabalit in Taloto during his radio program “Ang Mayor sa Dakbayan” aired live over Station DyTR every Saturday morning. Cabalit, a long-time Lim ally, has publicly announced that he is supporting Gov. Edgar Chatto, the mayor’s political nemesis after publicly criticizing the mayor’s trusted functionaries and programs. Chatto acknowledged Cabalit’s defection during this year’s barangay fiesta which marked the first time that he went to the latter’s house along with former Vice Mayor Jose Antonio Veloso. “If he thinks this is where it ends, he is mistaken,” Lim said referring to Cabalit.

The mayor did not give specifics on the basis for the recall petition but noted that this would be a “plebiscite” of Cabalit’s leadership in Taloto. Lim said he had kept his peace for a long time but Cabalit’s open defiance and insubordination prompted him to do something about it. The mayor pointed out that the delivery of basic services in the barangay has been affected because Cabalit is spreading rumors and lie against his administration. “He is working to arouse the people against City Hall which has affected our programs for Taloto,” he added. The mayor also reiterated that libel charges will be filed against Cabalit and members of the Taloto barangay council who passed a resolution declaring former General Services Officer Mark Leo Monton persona non grata. “This should serve as a message that we do not tolerate abusive behavior and character assassination,” he added. Lim said he personally ordered Monton to file the libel charges considering that the resolution was passed without due process.

“Who do the barangay officials of Taloto think they are? Just because they have the right to criticize does not mean they can destroy the reputation of people through the barangay,” he added. The mayor said that the resolution is setting a dangerous precedent because barangay officials might think they can just legislate their anger and resentment. “If this is not stopped, we will open the floodgates to similar resolutions against leaders who do not give us what we want,” he added. Lim said that if the Taloto approach is used, then the city can declare Gov. Edgar Chatto and Cong. Rene Relampagos persona non grata for selling the water and power utilities to Salcon. The mayor said the city can also declare non-performing barangay captains and councilors persona non grata. Lim said that while people will not always agree with their leaders, the respect should remain otherwise the conflict would result to chaos. “The problem is that he is motivated to stir up anger against City Hall. How can you work with somebody is doing everything to destroy you?” he pointed out.

Meanwhile, Cabalit has refused to honor a resolution declaring all positions vacant that would have stripped him of the federation presidency. Cabalit, who has refused to accept a gentleman’s agreement that allowed him to stay for one year after being federation president in the previous term, insists the proceedings where the resolution was passed as illegal. The 11 barangay captains loyal to Mayor Lim, however, have indicated they no longer recognize his leadership and wants Cogon barangay captain Philip Besas to replace Cabalit. Aside from Besas, the 10 other barangay captains who remain loyal to Lim are Arlene Karaan of Poblacion 1, Eleuterio Paredes of Poblacion 2,  Manolo Blanco of Mansasa, Nestor Mendez Jr. of Bool, Gildardo Bustamante of San Isidro, Margarito Epe of Tiptip, Eutorgio Telmo Jr. of Booy, Alberto Puagang of Dao, Leda Saco of Manga and Timoteo Maglahus of Ubujan. Cabalit joins the minority which includes Fredison Ingles of Dampas and Sergio Bangalao of Cabawan.

Poblacion 3 barangay captain Odyssey Glovasa, initially counted with the majority group because his father, former Councilor Oscar Glovasa is aligned with the mayor, has remain disinterested in both factions. According to multiple sources in the Liga ng mga Barangay city federation, Besas would take over the presidency from Cabalit after one year. The gentleman’s agreement, which is actually a term-sharing agreement, was arrived at after Lim pleaded with the barangay captains to allow Cabalit to stay on as a “face-saving measure”. Majority of the barangay captains had wanted Blanco to become the new Liga city federation president owing to their disenchantment with Cabalit. The barangay captains said Cabalit could spare himself the trouble by voluntarily stepping down. “He cannot expect us to respect him after he publicly disowned the gentleman’s agreement,” one barangay captain said. Another barangay captain pointed out that Cabalit has resorted to lies and deceit to hold on to his position which is demoralizing to the group.

“If he no longer wants to be part of our group, that is his right. But he cannot expect us to follow him because we cannot obey the orders of one who does not honor his word,” another captain added. The barangay captains refused to reveal what transpired in a meeting called by Lim after the barangay captains passed the resolution declaring all positions vacant. They added that if Cabalit wants to fight Lim, he cannot expect to use them in doing so. “He should not make us his political capital to his new political masters at the expense of Mayor Lim,” they added. It was not clear what the barangay captains intend to do next given Cabalit’s refusal to vacate. One thing is clear: Cabalit is lost the mandate to lead the Liga city federation in the eyes of the majority of his peers.