Ecija mayor indicted for graft

MANILA, Philippines - The Office of the Ombudsman yesterday ordered the filing of graft charges against the incumbent mayor of a town in Nueva Ecija for the alleged illegal dismissal and suspension of local employees in 2005.

Ombudsman Conchita Carpio Morales indicted Mayor Lucio Uera for violation of the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act for causing undue injury to Elpidio Nievo, Rowena Pulad, Editha Micla, Florante Armentia, Dr. Joy Palad, Milagros Armentia, and Evelyn Rios, all municipal employees of Pantabangan.

Uera allegedly terminated the employees without legal basis in violation of Civil Service Laws and Rules.

The Office of the Ombudsman also ordered the filing of a separate graft charge against the local chief executive for placing Antonio Capia, Elizabeth Huerta, Enrico Tagle, Guillermo Mendoza and 29 other municipal employees, under preventive suspension without legal basis.

The cases stemmed from separate complaints filed by the employees, who alleged they were prohibited from reporting to work by the supposed “goons” of the mayor. They said they were handed memorandum orders citing their frequent unauthorized absences.

The complainants attributed the incident to Uera’s suspicion that they had sided with his political rival.

The Ombudsman said it is unfair to make the employees suffer the consequences of the political conflict between Uera and his rival.

Graft investigators said Uera’s acts were made in bad faith.

The Ombudsman said Uera, who was elected into office again only last May, misused his authority when he issued the orders.

Morales said Uera is guilty of grave misconduct and grave abuse of authority, as she ordered him to pay a fine equivalent to his salary for one year.