The Ombudsman has found a former Cebu City administrator and seven others criminally and administratively liable for alleged P239-million anomaly in garbage collection.

The Ombudsman found Atty. Floro Casas Jr., former Cebu City administrator, and seven other city government workers - Atty. John Jigo Dacua, Grace Luardo Silva, Allen Ceballos, Romelito Datan, Mark Ugbinar, Jerome Ornopia, and Mare Vae Fernandez Reyes - liable for the said anomaly. 

Aside from dismissal from the government service, the suspects will also face charges for purportedly violating the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act and malversation of public funds/property.

Further, the Ombudsman has found Casas and the seven government officers liable for "gross neglect of duty and conduct prejudicial to the best interest of the service."

In addition, Casas and the other seven will face accessory penalties such as cancellation of eligibility, forfeiture of retirement benefits, perpetual disqualification from holding public office, and disqualification from civil service examination.

For the criminal case, three private individuals were also included. However, GMA Regional TV News has withheld their identities pending an interview. 

Prior to the decision, former Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama asked purportedly the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) 7 to conduct a probe on garbage collection and the contract between the city and DOCAST/JJ and J Construction.

NBI 7 Director Atty. Renan Oliva confirmed of anomalies in garbage collection. Among these are ghost deliveries of garbage to a dumpsite in Barangay Binaliw, Cebu City which the Cebu City Government was made to pay reportedly in millions.

NBI 7 has recommended that a case for plunder be filed against Casas. 

(via Lloyd Suarez/GMA Super Radyo Cebu)