Fifty residents of Barangay Sac-sac in Bacong, Oriental Negros, are poised to file a complaint against Mayor Lenin Alviola for alleged illegal disconnection of their water services, before the Provincial Prosecutor's Office.

The complainants sought the assistance of Provincial Legal Counsel Erwin Vergara. One of them, barangay kagawad Dionisio Ramirez, said they were being punished for not supporting Bacong Mayor Lenin Alviola in the last elections.

Thelma Quiqui said they have been suffering from water shortage for almost three weeks now. She said she believes the action of Alviola is not appropriate because they pay their water bills religiously, and have receipts to prove it.

Affected residents said they will file a case for violation of Republic Act No. 3019 or the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act , and the Presidential Decree 1067 of the Water Code of the Philippines, against the mayor, Bacong Water District employee Arsenio Tañara, and Barangay Captain Marcilina Sarte, whom they call Alviola's co-conspirators.

Vergara said they have tried all democratic means of solving the problem without going to court, but because of the refusal of the mayor to restore the water connection, the complainants will be filing the case.

Residents said they will also file charges with the Commission on Human Rights, saying their rights have been violated because of politics.

Earlier, Alviola said he did not order any water disconnection but he has to implement the disconnection of water services of delinquent concessionaires.*MA

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