3 Mindanao mayors dismissed over administrative offenses

MANILA, Philippines - Three mayors in Mindanao have been dismissed from their posts after they were found guilty of administrative offenses, the Office of the Ombudsman announced yesterday.

Aside from dismissal, Mayors Oscar Moreno of Cagayan de Oro City, Vicente Fernandez of Matanao in Davao del Sur and Mamintal Adiong of Ditsa-an Ramain in Lanao del Sur were disqualified from holding public office.

The charges against the mayors include grave misconduct, dishonesty, neglect of duty, and conduct prejudicial to the interest of the service.

Ombudsman Conchita Carpio-Morales said Moreno was sacked over a settlement agreement with Ajinomoto Philippines without authorization from the city council.

Investigation showed the deal allowed the company to pay only P300,000, instead of its actual tax deficiency amounting to P2.9 million.

The ombudsman said the approval of the agreement by the court could not legitimize the acts of Moreno and the other municipal officials led by municipal treasurer Glenn Bañez.

Fernandez, who is facing murder charges for his alleged involvement in the killing of a journalist, was sacked for discharging the function of a mayor even while in detention.

Investigation showed Fernandez issued office orders, business permits and appointments, and signed documents.

The ombudsman said he was also criminally indicted for usurpation.

Adiong was removed for ordering the burning of a truck owned by a private firm. Witnesses positively identified Adiong as the one who gave the order to burn the truck.

The ombudsman said 27 other officials in different localities in the region have also been dismissed for administrative offenses.

The dismissal of the officials came after the filing of graft, malversation, and other charges against three other mayors, four vice mayors and 30 other officials in the region last month.

Indicted were former mayors Vicente Emano of Cagayan de Oro City; Alexander Pimentel of Tandag City, Surigao del Sur, and Diosdado Pallasigue of Isulan, Sultan Kudarat.

Emano and Pallasigue were charged for defying an order of the Civil Service Commission to reinstate their employees, while Pimentel for refusing to pay the salaries and allowances of a member of the city council.

8 Zambo Sur town workers fired

Meanwhile, in Zamboanga del Sur, Morales ordered eight town employees of Molave dismissed for involvement in the procurement of expired and overpriced medicine worth P1.8 million in 2009.

Morales ordered Molave Mayor Erenio Glepa to the dismissal of bids and awards committee members Gasmelba Felicitas, Marcos Bahinting, Melita delos Santos, Nikki Omboy, Jerry Gene delos Santos and Lina Lou Gitalan; accountant Martin Blanco Jr., and inspector Eleuterio Galleto.

The ombudsman also disqualified them from holding public positions, cancelled their eligibilities and forfeited their retirement benefits.

Morales said a report of the Commission on Audit showed that the respondents did not conduct public bidding and eligibility check for the medicine procurement deal.

Investigation showed the respondents included the Vitamin A capsules worth P645,000 when this was provided for free by the government.  – With Edith Regalado