Ex-mayor charged for unlawful appointment

CEBU, Philippines - The Office of the Ombudsman-Visayas has indicted former Madridejos mayor Lety Mancio of the criminal case for making unlawful appointment when she designated her brother as officer-in-charge of the Office of the Mayor in 2005.

Graft investigator Eleanor Tayad found probable cause to elevate the case against Mancio before the Sandiganbayan for violation of the Article 244 of the Revised Penal Code.

“Lety Mancio unlawfully and feloniously appoint Eddy Villacarlos, a consultant to the Mayor’s Office as Officer-in Charge of the Office of the Mayor, tasked to supervise the town policemen and municipal employees, knowing fully well that said Villacarlos lacks the legal qualification or is prohibited from being appointed as such,” Tayad’s resolution reads.

The case stemmed from the complaint filed by Delfin Santillan and Recline Asentista against Mancio, Villacarlos and former municipal treasurer Felixberta Pabualan for unlawful appointment, nepotism and violations of the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act.

The anti-graft office however found no probable cause against Villacarlos and Pabualan.

The complainants said Villacarlos, Mancio’s consultant, was appointed by the mayor as officer-in-charge of her office tasked to supervise the town police and municipal employees in 2005.

According to the complainants, Villacarlos was designated acting mayor by Mancio despite his lack of qualification. – (FREEMAN)