Ombudsman orders dismissal of Tuguegarao mayor

The Office of the Ombudsman has ordered the dismissal of Tuguegarao City Mayor Jefferson Soriano for grave misconduct and abuse of authority in allowing a transport terminal to operate without the authorization of the city council.

Soriano’s case started on October 8, 2013 when he issued a letter directing all bus, van and passenger jeep operators and drivers to vacate their terminals and transfer to areas outside Poblacion, Tuguegarao.

This, Soriano claimed, was in accordance to Ordinance No. 02-97, which gave the city government the authority to designate parking areas.

On December 20, 2013, Soriano issued a provisional permit to operate to One Way Parking Terminal, Inc. (OWPTI).

But it was only on this same day when he endorsed the application of the transport terminal to operate to the Sangguniang Bayan.

In its decision, the Ombudsman said Soriano “committed a corrupt act when he gave unwarranted benefit, advantage or preference to OWPTI through manifest partiality by issuing the provisional permit without prior ordinance and authorization from the Sanggunian.”

According to the Ombudsman, OWPTI was allowed to operate immediately even though it did not undergo the process of acquiring legislative franchise from the city council, the Ombudsman said.

“Soriano abused his authority and flagrantly disregarded established rule since he put the cart before the horse by issuing the permit without authorization by the Sanggunian,” the Ombudsman explained.

Aside from dismissal from service, Soriano was also slapped with accessory penalties such as perpetual disqualification from holding public office, forfeiture of retirement benefits and cancellation of eligibility. —NB, GMA News