Dismissal of CH execs, workers: Ombuds delay disrupts work

CEBU, Philippines — The absence of an official notice from the Office of the Ombudsman regarding the dismissal of Cebu City officials and employees linked to the multimillion-peso anomalous garbage deal has disrupted operations in some departments at City Hall, the Human Resource Development Office (HRDO) chief admitted.

“Wala pa maka-receive ang city government through HR, kay usually sa HR man gyud na maabot ang decision sa Ombudsman. Naay tulo kabuok karon nga affected nga mga department heads,” said HRDO chief Henry Tomalabcad.

Tomalabcad explained that while the respondents have already received their respective copies of the Ombudsman’s decision, the city government has not yet implemented the dismissal orders due to the lack of an official notice.

He said the mayor has instructed their office to coordinate with the Office of the Ombudsman–Visayas to follow up and make a formal inquiry on the matter.

Tomalabcad stressed the urgency of resolving the issue as it has affected the signing of documents. Some department heads have reportedly become hesitant to affix their signatures, given the uncertainty surrounding their employment status.

Three departments are currently affected by the most recent dismissal order. One of them, City Accountant Jerome Ornopia, has gone on leave, leaving his assistant department head to assume responsibilities.

“Iyang assistant pud nga nabilin, dili sa mopirma sa tanan, og kato lang based sa memorandum nga gihatag sa iya sa iyang head,” Tomalabcad added.

He pointed out that one of the affected department heads is among the signatories of appointments. The other two dismissed officials—City Treasurer Mare Ivy Reyes and Department of Public Services head Atty. Jigo Dacua—are still reporting for work.

Tomalabcad also noted that unlike in previous cases where dismissals were promptly implemented, this time there appear to be “technical glitches” delaying the receipt of the official order.

In the case of the City Treasurer, the HRDO cannot appoint a replacement without a recommendation from the mayor and subsequent approval from the Department of Finance.

It may be recalled that following the controversy involving the ?239.7-million garbage collection deal, Cebu City Mayor Nestor Archival Sr. expressed readiness to implement the Ombudsman’s order and had considered Emma Villarete as a possible replacement for Reyes.

The Office of the Ombudsman earlier found probable cause to indict 11 individuals—including Cebu City officials and private contractors—in relation to the 2021 garbage contract.

In a resolution dated February 4, 2025, the Ombudsman charged the respondents with violations of Section 3(e) of Republic Act 3019, or the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act, and malversation of public funds or property.

Among those indicted were City Accountant Jerome Ornopia; City Treasurer Mare Ivy Reyes; DPS Head Atty. Jigo Dacua; Former City Administrator Floro Quimque Casas Jr.; Environmental Monitoring Team Leader Grace Luardo-Silva; City employees Allen Omlero Ceballos, Romelito Asinjo Datan, and Mark Abarquez Ugbinar; Private contractors Jayra Angelic Maninog Ruiz-Javier, John David Sevilles Javier, and Erika May Quino.

A separate administrative ruling dated March 14, 2025, also found substantial evidence against the officials for gross neglect of duty and conduct prejudicial to the best interest of the service.

The penalties imposed include dismissal from public service, cancellation of civil service eligibility, forfeiture of retirement benefits, perpetual disqualification from holding public office, and a lifetime ban from taking civil service examinations.

The investigation stemmed from a complaint filed by then-Vice Mayor Michael Rama, supported by a resolution from the City Council.

The anomaly was uncovered following an investigation by the National Bureau of Investigation–Central Visayas (NBI-7), which found that the city government entered into a garbage collection contract with the joint venture of DOCAST Construction and JJ and J Construction and General Supply (DOCAST/JJ&J) at a rate of ?1,800 per ton.

This was covered under Purchase Order No. 080 (January 29 to July 19, 2021) and Purchase Order No. 570 (July 27 to August 10, 2021). — /FPL (FREEMAN)