Antipolo vice mayor files raps vs Ynares

MANILA, Philippines - Antipolo City Mayor Casimiro Ynares is facing graft charges before the Office of the Ombudsman for abolishing “appointive co-terminus positions” in the vice mayor’s office, city council and its secretariat.

In a 19-page complaint, Vice Mayor Ronaldo Leyva said Ynares’ action constitutes alleged grave misconduct, gross neglect of duty, conduct prejudicial to the interest of service, and violation of the Local Government Code.

According to Leyva, the abolition of co-terminus positions in the three offices rendered his office “inutile and useless.”

He said Ynares deprived him of much-needed personnel and staff to effectively and efficiently perform his functions as vice mayor.

Leyva said Ynares did not lift a finger though against those assigned in the mayor‘s office and other departments.

Leyva alleged that Ynares’ move was politically motivated as they belong to rival political factions. Leyva belongs to the Liberal Party while Ynares is from United National Alliance.

Records show that Ynares implemented City Ordinance No. 2013-517 and Resolution No. 2013-028 abolishing the co-terminus positions in the three offices on June 30 last year, the same day Leyva assumed his post as vice mayor.

Ynares, according to Leyva, made the move although the passage of the ordinance “did not faithfully comply with the three Reading Rule as required by the Local Government Code” in approving a city ordinance.

Ynares, however, denied that his move had political color, saying it was aimed at restructuring the staffing pattern to save the city government of millions of pesos in expenditures for salaries.