Rama yet to suspend 3 Cebu City engineers

CEBU, Philippines -  There may be still a way for the three city officials indicted of criminal charges by the Ombudsman, said Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama.

Deputy Ombudsman Pelagio Apostol has ordered Rama to implement the dismissal of his employees: June Nadine Sision, assistant city engineer; Juanito Pua Jr., construction division head; and Joel Pasatiempo, project engineer.

But Rama said the city will exhaust legal remedies for the three employees, who continue to work at the Department of Engineering and Public Works.

He said he cannot just dismiss Sison, Pua, and Pasamiento just because the Ombudsman ordered it.

“There are things that you should also be mindful about. That’s your employees. What if there’s still a way for them to... I mean, being a lawyer, you will always employ such remedies,” said Rama.

The mayor said he still has to read the order too.

“You cannot just from a distance execute it even if you have not yet received any document,” he further said.

Sison, Pua, and Pasamiento were charged for violating the Republic Act 6713 or the Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Official and Employees.

Complainant Robert Montenegro, a contractor of various city-funded projects, accused the three, among others, of asking money and items such as a high tech camera and computer unit from him in 2012.  (FREEMAN)