Ex-Compostela Valley town mayor fined for misconduct

The Office of the Ombudsman has ordered a former mayor of Compostela Valley to pay the government a fine for allegedly failing to divest his business interest in a private company during his term.

In a resolution recently signed by Ombudsman Conchita Carpio-Morales, former Pantukan, Compostela Valley mayor Juan Cipriano Celso Sarenas was found guilty of simple misconduct and was ordered to pay a fine equivalent to two months’ worth of his salary as a mayor.

The Ombudsman said that based on investigations, Sarenas owned 7,500 unit shares in Quasar Mining Corporation before assuming his post as mayor in 2010.

The Ombudsman said that while Sarenas resigned from his position in the mining company, he did not divest his shares in it.

The Ombudsman pointed out that under Republic Act 6713 or the Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees, Sarenas should have divested his shareholdings within 60 days from assumption of office.

“In this case, as respondent Sarenas is the local chief executive of Pantukan, his position and interest in Quasar Mining Corporation is opposed to or affected by the faithful performance of his official duty,” the Ombudsman’s resolution read. 

The municipal Treasurertof Pantukan was directed to submit the former mayor's compliance with respect to the penalty imposed. —Elizabeth Marcelo/ALG, GMA News