DILG, Cebu City gov't to file case vs. Tommy Osmeña for leaving office bare

The Department of the Local and Interior Government (DILG) and the local government of Cebu City will file a case against former mayor Tommy Osmeña after he stripped his office of fixtures days before ending his term.

At a press briefing on Friday, DILG Undersecretary Jonathan Malaya said it is up to the Office of the Ombudsman if it will consolidate the cases against Osmeña.

"Basta kami magfa-file din kami, 'yun ang utos ni Secretary. May sarili silang imbestigasyon, may sarili din kaming imbestigasyon. Ayaw naman naming kopyahin lang 'yung imbestigasyon nila," said Malaya, who is also DILG's spokesperson.

Malaya also said the DILG is still waiting for the report of its regional office on the matter.

Citing information from Attorney Stephanie Claros of the Cebu City Legal Office, Malaya also said the legal office is preparing to file a case against Osmeña.

Aside from Osmeña, former personal assistant to the mayor, Raymund Paul Climaco Taboada; Department of General Services head Ronald Malacora; City Planning Development Office personnel Cindy Montermoso and Jim Paul Saavedra; as well as 32 workers from the Dakay Contruction and Development Corporation will also be slapped with charges.

Malaya noted that in filing the case, the legal office cited Section 3 (e) of Republic Act No. 3019 (Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act) which states that “causing any undue injury to any party, including the government, or giving any private party any unwarranted benefits, advantage or preference in the discharge of his official administrative or judicial functions through manifest partiality, evident bad faith or gross inexcusable negligence.”

Osmeña's actions made the mayor's office look abandoned since there were no more furniture, floor tiles, ceiling, and glass divider. 

His executive officer had earlier said the mayor did not violate any law since he was the one who spent for the office's repair and renovation.

The former mayor's camp also said they are ready to face charges that will be filed against Osmeña.

Malaya said the DILG is taking a prudent act on the matter as the agency was saddened and alarmed by Osmeña's action. —KBK, GMA News