Ombudsman orders defiant NCMH head axed

MANILA, Philippines - The Office of the Ombudsman yesterday ordered the dismissal of the National Center for Mental Health (NCMH) director for repeatedly refusing to follow orders from the anti-graft agency.

Bernardino Vicente was found guilty of grave misconduct for deliberately failing to implement a suspension order against chief administrative officer Clarita Aguilar.

Ombudsman Conchita Carpio-Morales also said Vicente allowed Aguilar to avail of housing privileges while she was under preventive suspension.

Records show that since September 2008, when the case against Aguilar started, Vicente failed to implement the suspension order against her at least four times.

By September 2010, Aguilar was found guilty of submitting anomalous statements of assets, liabilities and net worth. The ombudsman imposed the penalty of one year’s suspension without pay.

Her appeal was denied in October 2010 and once again, Vicente failed to implement the suspension order.

The ombudsman said this showed Vicente’s “willful and flagrant disregard of established rule.”

Carpio-Morales forfeited Vicente’s retirement benefits and banned him from re-entering government service.

The ombudsman directed the Department of Health to immediately implement the order against Vicente.