MANILA, Philippines - The Office of the Ombudsman has filed a graft case before the Sandiganbayan against a Zamboanga del Sur vice mayor for appointing a relative to hold office as treasurer in 2007 when he was still mayor in 2007.
In a resolution, Vice Mayor Allan Damas of Kumalarang, Zamboanga del Sur is now facing the criminal charge in connection with the appointment of his first cousin Nellie Toledo as municipal treasurer.
The Ombudsman found sufficient grounds to indict Damas who gave preference to Toledo as she was appointed in violation of Section 79 of the Local Government Code of 1991.
The law prohibits the appointment in the career service of any person who is related within the fourth civil degree of consanguinity or affinity to the appointing or recommending authority.
The resolution read that Damas' "lame excuse that he does not recall the contents of the certification he issued in favor of Toledo…is unavailing."
"It only shows his gross disregard of a fundamental legal requirement in recommendations or appointments to the career service of the local government and his cavalier attitude to and appreciation of the basic tenet that underlies the prohibition," it added.