BATANGAS – A councilor in Talisay town, Batangas was suspended for 90 days without pay after he allegedly made a scene while demanding for the release of his passport last year, according to a resolution by the provincial board.

Municipal councilor Florencio Pesigan, also known as Lorenz, was found guilty of conduct unbecoming a public official, according to decision of the Committee on Ethics and Public Government.

"Being a legislator, a town councilor, an elected official, Respondent is expected and required by law to conduct himself publicly in a manner that would not besmirch the office he holds and represents. In this case, he has not. His conduct evidently falls within the realm of unbecoming a public officer," the decision read. the decision read.

The administrative case stemmed from a complaint filed by Jesusa “Nancy” Garcia, Lipa Department of Foreign Affairs director, after Pesigan allegedly made a scene in her office to demand the release of his passport on July 19, 2016.

Garcia claimed that Pesigan cut the line and prevented the releasing section of DFA Lipa from serving a senior citizen. She added that Pesigan said he should not be made to wait, because aside from being a municipal councilor, a government undersecretary referred him to the office.

Garcia filed an administrative case on October 3, 2016. According to the document, Pesigan only attended the initial hearing, but failed to answer formally answer the charge.

Instead, he filed a letter requesting for the dismissal of the complaint, alleging that the committee failed to follow procedures stated in the Local Government Code.