Tuguegarao mayor ousted for abuse of authority

MANILA, Philippines - The Office of the Ombudsman has ousted Mayor Jefferson Soriano of Tuguegarao City in Cagayan for alleged abuse of authority.

In an order dated Aug. 20, Ombudsman Conchita Carpio-Morales cancelled Soriano’s civil service eligibility, forfeited his retirement benefits and disqualified him perpetually from holding public office.

Aside from Soriano, a former official of the Philippine National Police (PNP), the ombudsman imposed the same penalty on city administrator Ronald Brillantes for allegedly acting “for and in behalf” of the mayor.

Soriano yesterday said he would appeal the ombudsman's decision. He said he is willing to step down once the Department of the Interior and Local Government serves the order.

Soriano’s and Brillantes’ ouster stemmed from a complaint filed by Councilor Maila Rosario Que, daughter of Soriano's political rival in the last election.

Que said Soriano violated the law when he allowed a private individual to operate a carnival and a bargain sale during the city’s fiesta last year without the permission of the city council.

She said that on July 18, 2013, Soriano wrote the city council asking for authority for the conduct of a bargain sale and closure of portions of Gomez, Del Rosario and Gonzaga streets.

But Soriano, Que said, had already allowed the conduct of such an activity even before he asked the city council’s permission.

Records showed that on July 11 of the same year, Soriano issued a special permit to a certain Vicky Medina allowing her to hold the sale.

The permit was issued through a memorandum signed by Brillantes.

Que said both officials ordered the closure of the streets for the construction of the stalls even before the council could issue a permit.

The ombudsman found sufficient evidence to hold Soriano and Brillantes liable for grave misconduct.

“The local chief executive is merely an executor, enforcer and implementer of the will of the legislature,” said graft investigators Johanna Young and Bayani Jacinto in the ruling.

The ombudsman said Soriano had no “plenary authority to cause the closure of local roads.”

Copies of the ombudsman’s decision were submitted to the Civil Service Commission, the Commission on Elections, and the Government Service Insurance System. Deputy Ombudsman for Luzon Gerard Mosquera advised the concerned government agencies to comply with the order.

Soriano is among the former PNP officials facing trial before the Sandiganbayan for alleged involvement in the P131.5-million rubber boat scam. – With Raymund Catindig, Charlie Lagasca