Ombuds files 2 graft cases against Borbon vice mayor

CEBU, Philippines — The Office of the Ombudsman has filed two separate graft charges against Borbon Vice Mayor Noel Dotillos before the Regional Trial Court in Bogo City over the unauthorized release of a municipal anniversary bonus in 2019 and the hiring of his wife as Municipal Health Officer under a contract of service in 2024 when he was still mayor.

The anti-graft body denied the motion for reconsideration filed by Dotillos and Municipal Budget Officer Teresita Cabahug and affirmed its earlier finding of probable cause, paving the way for their prosecution.

The first case stemmed from the release of P570,000 worth of anniversary bonuses to municipal employees in 2019 despite the absence of an appropriation ordinance from the Municipal Council.

Dotillos and Cabahug argued that the lack of an appropriation was merely a procedural lapse and maintained that the bonuses were approved and processed in good faith, believing the grant was lawful and beneficial to employees.

The Ombudsman, however, upheld its earlier ruling, saying the disbursement caused undue injury to the Municipality of Borbon.

“With no appropriation to support the subject disbursement, the Municipality of Borbon suffered undue injury in the amount of P570,000.00 as this sum was never supposed to be disbursed as an anniversary bonus. Simply put, the municipal government had no budget for an anniversary bonus, but respondents-movants authorized its grant anyway,” the ruling stated.

The second case stemmed from Dotillos’ renewal of a contract of service for his wife, retired Municipal Health Officer Dr. Corazon Dotillos, on April 15, 2024, without first securing authorization from the Sangguniang Bayan.

According to the Ombudsman, Dr. Dotillos retired in 2021 and was subsequently granted two six-month extensions by the Civil Service Commission, allowing her to continue serving as municipal health officer and receive compensation under the contract arrangement.

Prosecutors alleged that the transaction gave unwarranted benefit and advantage to the mayor’s spouse and was prejudicial to public service and public interest.

The Ombudsman said Dotillos exhibited manifest partiality and evident bad faith when he renewed the contract without obtaining the required approval from the municipal council.

“The claim that there are no physicians available or willing to work as MHO in Borbon, Cebu, is self-serving. There is no proof that the plantilla item was ever published after respondent Corazon’s retirement, and any effort was made to secure a permanent appointment for such a position. Every contract renewal required the passage of a new SB Resolution. Respondent Noel exhibited manifest partiality and/or evident bad faith when he renewed his wife’s COS on 15 April 2024 without securing the corresponding SB authorization,” the ruling added.

The Office of the Ombudsman recommended bail of P90,000 for each of the two charges. — /FPL (FREEMAN)