Ombudsman charges ex-Surigao del Sur mayor over unlawful appointment

The Office of the Ombudsman has charged former Carmen, Surigao del Sur Mayor Antonio Borda Jr. for allegedly appointing an unqualified applicant to the permanent position of local civil registrar in 2014.

According to a news release posted Friday on the Ombudsman's website, Borda will face trial for violation of Article 244 (Unlawful Appointments) of the Revised Penal Code.
          
The Ombudsman said the investigation showed that Borja appointed Catherine Louise Laorden as local civil registrar even if she “lacked the legal qualification of three years experience in civil registry work as provided under the Local Government Code.”

The Ombudsman said Borda was aware "that Laorden failed to meet the required work experience."

It added that the former mayor "participated in the meeting, and he signed and approved the Personnel Selection Board’s minutes which clearly detailed Laorden’s lack of required work experience thereby negating his claim of good faith.”

The Civil Service Commission also reportedly disapproved Laorden’s appointment and denied her motion for reconsideration. — Veronica Pulumbarit/RSJ, GMA News