The Office of the Ombudsman has found the mayor of Moises Padilla in the Province of Negros Occidental guilty of grave abuse of authority and neglect of duty, along with two employees of the Local Government Unit (LGU).

Mayor Ella Celestina Garcia-Yulo and two employees identified as Archie Montelibano, civil registrar and administrator-designate, and Warren Jocson, in-charge of the Business Permits and Licensing Office (BPLO), have been meted fines equivalent to six months of their basic salary based on the decision of the Ombudsman for an administrative case filed by businesswoman, Ramona Villaflor.

The complaint stemmed from the non-issuance of a business permit to a funeral homes owned by the complainant.

According to the complaint, Villaflor applied for renewal of business permit in January 2023. However, four months passed but she was not issued a permit.

“Actually, renewal na lang ang aking business permit. Noong 2022, may permit na ako. Sunod ng 2023 renewal na lang. Pina-follow-up ko, wala pa rin,” Villaflor said.

In June 14, 2023, she sent another letter to the mayor for a follow-up on the request for a business permit. But on June 26, 2023, she received a Notice of Denial from the officer in charge of the BPLO.

Villaflor filed a complaint at the Ombudsman on September 11, 2023. The decision of the Ombudsman was released on February 20, 2025.

The respondents are set to submit a motion for reconsideration.

“Tungkol sa Ombudsman case namin, sa ngayon ipinoproseso namin ang appeal or ang motion for reconsideration. Hindi pa naman final. Yan ang tinatawag namin na work hazard,” Garcia-Yulo said.