Ombudsman dismisses 3 Mindanao mayors over administrative offenses

The Office of the Ombudsman on Thursday announced the suspension of three mayors in Mindanao for various administrative offenses.

 

Those suspended, based on separate decisions recently signed by Ombudsman Conchita Carpio-Morales, were:

 

- Cagayan De Oro City mayor Oscar Moreno, 

- Matanao, Davao De Sur mayor Vicente “Butch” Fernandez Jr. and 

- Ditsa-an Ramain, Lanao del Sur mayor Ali Untao Adiong 

 

Morales said the three were found guilty of various administrative offenses such as grave misconduct, serious dishonesty, gross neglect of duty, and conduct prejudicial to the best interest of the service. 

 

Aside from their dismissal, the three, as well as their co-accused, were also meted with the accessory penalties of cancellation of their retirement benefits and perpetual disqualification from holding public office.

 

In a decision signed by Morales on October 6, Moreno was found guilty of grave misconduct for allegedly entering into a settlement agreement with Ajinomoto Philippines without prior authorization from the City council or Sangguniang Panlungsod.

 

The Ombudsman said Moreno’s act was in violation of Republic Act 7160 or the Local Government Code.

 

Based on the Ombudsman records, the agreement allowed Ajinomoto to pay the city government P300,000 instead of its original local business tax deficiency of P2.9 million.

 

Dismissed together with Moreno was City Treasurer’s Office officer-in-charge Glenn Bañez.

 

Meanwhile, in a decision dated October 5, Morales ordered the dismissal of Fernandez for grave misconduct.

 

The Ombudsman said Fernandez, who is one of the accused in the murder of Davao-based journalist Nestor Bedolido in 2010, was found to have been discharging his functions as mayor even while in detention.

 

These functions, according to the Ombudsman, included issuing office orders, business permits and appointments, and signing official documents, among others.

 

The Ombudsman, in the same decision, also found probable cause to file against Fernandez the criminal charge of usurpation of official function as defined under Article 177 of the Revised Penal Code.

 

Meanwhile, in a decision approved by Morales on September 17, Adiong was ordered dismissed for grave abuse of authority, grave misconduct and oppression for allegedly ordering the burning of a truck owned by JERA General Construction, a firm hired by the Lanao del Sur Electric Cooperative, Inc. (LASURECO) in 2014 to install concrete electric posts and distribution lines in the municipality.

 

The Ombudsman said several witnesses have testified that it was Adiong who gave the order for the burning of the truck on May 13, 2014 after LASURECO general manager Sultan Ashary Maongco reportedly drew his ire. —KBK, GMA News