CEBU, Philippines - The Office of the Ombudsman-Visayas has ordered a two-month suspension without pay against San Roque barangay captain Rogelio Ruizo and six of his councilmen, leaving the barangay with only one official, after they were found guilty of simple misconduct and simple neglect of duty.
Former barangay councilman Julius P. Mendoza was likewise found guilty of the same offense but could no longer serve his penalty as he does not hold public office anymore.
However, he will still be among the respondents of the criminal case for violation of the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act that Deputy Ombudsman Pelagio Apostol has approved for filing before the Regional Trial Court against Ruizo, Councilmen Florentino Mauping Jr., Julieta Balcon, Leonarda Pepito, Mario Pamolarco, Alex Sillos and April Jane Salas.
The case stemmed from a complaint filed by former councilman Lidiore Miranda because of alleged anomalous activities in their barangay.
Miranda accused the respondents of fabricating documents to justify the disbursement of the P13,850 for a supposed activity for the disabled persons in the barangay.
The anomalous transaction was discovered after the respondents submitted a supposed attendance of those who attended the gathering because one of those who allegedly attended has long been dead.
The list of attendees includes former barangay captain Teleforo Rabaya who died long time ago.
Apostol said it was very funny because it is only in the Philippines that a man who died several years ago can still attend a barangay gathering for persons with disabilities.
The anti-graft investigators strongly believed that the list was fabricated because the others found on the list did not also participate in the event.
Ruizo pointed Ligaya Britania, the barangay’s Gender and Development (GAD) focal person, as the one responsible for the preparation of the document.
But, the anti-graft investigators said that the respondents could not just pas the buck to the GAD focal person.
“It is their responsibility to oversee all activities of the barangay and we find it quite impossible for respondents to be unaware of the actual attendees to the Persons with Disabilities activity. Their insistence that they do not know of the list attached shows negligence,” said Apostol.
As soon as the decision of the anti-graft body is implemented by the Sangguniang Panlungsod, the barangay will be left with only one councilman.
In spite the suspension, Miranda was not satisfied with the ruling. “Gamay ra kaayo ang suspenso nga duha ka uwan,” he said.
According to Miranda, he is filing a motion for reconsideration to ask the Ombudsman to increase the penalty.
He said he will be submitting additional evidences to convince the anti-graft investigators that the penalty to be imposed against the respondents should be increased.
Ruizo on the other hand said he will also be filing a motion for reconsideration to ask the Ombudsman to reverse its findings and dismiss the case. — (FREEMAN)