Ombudsman suspends Maguindanao mayor for one year

The Office of the Ombudsman has ordered the one-year suspension of the mayor of Talitay, Maguindanao for his alleged non-declaration of possessions and business interests in his Statement of Assets, Liabilities, and Net Worth (SALN) and failure to perform official duties.

In a press statement, the Ombudsman said Mayor Montasir Sabal was found guilty of gross neglect of duty when he failed to declare 14 firearms, four luxury vehicles; and his general merchandise, construction supplies, and accessories businesses for years 2011 to 2015.

The Ombudsman said Sabal also failed to secure approval from the provincial governor for his travels abroad from 2010 to 2016.

Further, Sabal did not propose legislative measures to the municipal council for the town’s anti-illegal drugs program as mandated under the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act and the Department of Interior and Local Government.

Municipal Budget Officer Charity Tampoco and Municipal Treasurer Norodin Samaon had testified that the town never received budget allocations for curtailing illegal drugs from 2010 to 2015 due to the lapses of Sabal.

“Local government units should appropriate a substantial portion of their respective annual budgets to assist in or enhance the enforcement of the law, giving priority to preventive or educational programs and the rehabilitation or treatment of drug dependents,” the Ombudsman said in its decision. 

The Ombudsman also cited DILG Circular No. 2015-63 which states that “the failure to so appropriate shall be a ground for an administrative case for dereliction of duty against concerned local officials and the disapproval of the local annual budget on review.”

The anti-graft body defines neglect of duty as the “failure to give proper attention to a required task” resulting to carelessness and indifference of a public official.

The Ombudsman directed the DILG to implement the suspension order.

GMA News Online tried to get the comment of Sabal but has yet to get a reply as of posting time. — RSJ, GMA News