Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Jonvic Remulla on Monday said complaints against so-called “epal” local officials—down to the barangay level—may constitute administrative cases that could result in preventive suspension if properly filed in the correct forum.

Remulla recently urged the public to step forward with complaints against local leaders who allegedly use government-funded projects for personal promotion.

“May mga administrative cases na puwedeng i-file sa kanila at maaari silang mapatawan mula preventive suspension hanggang suspension,” Remulla said.

He stressed that complaints against erring and “epal” elected and appointed barangay officials must be filed in accordance with Republic Act No. 7160, or the Local Government Code of 1991, which sets the procedures for filing cases against local government officials.

In an interview, DILG–National Barangay Operations Office Director Dennis Villaseñor explained that for elected barangay officials—such as the punong barangay, sangguniang barangay members, and sangguniang kabataan chairpersons—complaints may be filed with the appropriate higher legislative body within the locality.

Under Section 61(c) of the Code, a complaint against an elective barangay official must be filed before the concerned sangguniang panlungsod or sangguniang bayan. The law further states that the decision on such complaints shall be final and executory.

The Code also provides that if evidence of guilt is strong, a single preventive suspension may be imposed on a barangay official, which may last for up to 60 days.

Villaseñor added that complaints against barangay officials may also be lodged with the Office of the Ombudsman. Section 21 of Republic Act No. 6770 grants the Ombudsman disciplinary authority over all elective and appointive government officials, including those at the barangay level.

However, he cautioned that complaints should not be filed simultaneously with both the higher sanggunian and the Office of the Ombudsman, as this could lead to dismissal due to forum shopping.

“Kung nai-file ninyo po sa parehong forum, sa aming pananaw, baka ma-dismiss lang po iyan dahil magiging forum shopping,” Villaseñor said.

He added that for complaints to prosper, complainants must submit proper documentation, including a formal complaint supported by relevant evidence.