CEBU, Philippines - The Office of the Ombudsman sustained its earlier decision suspending Sta. Fe Mayor Jose Esgana for three months over his arrogant behavior towards two boatmen.
Approved by Ombudsman Conchita Carpio Morales on February 21, the anti-graft office in its order dated December 5, 2016 denied the motion for reconsideration of Esgana fo lack of new evidence.
The September 29, 2015 order of the Ombudsman which was approved by Morales on August 11, 2016 suspended Esgana for three months without pay after he was found guilty of the administrative complaint for violation of the Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards.
The order was served by the Department of Interior and Local Government on October 18, 2016 and Esgana had fully served his suspension even before his motion for reconsideration was resolved and denied.
The mayor allegedly acted arrogantly towards two boatmen when he boarded LCT Island II on June 4 and June 9, 2015, respectively, at the port of Santa Fe.
The complainants, Rodolfo Solidor and Carl Martin Absalon, are sea marshals tasked to check the tickets of passengers aboard their vessels, as well as the bill of loading of rolling cargoes.
The two alleged that the mayor acted arrogantly towards them when they were checking the tickets of the passengers. In his counter-affidavit, Esgana admitted the allegations and his statements were reiterated in the supporting affidavits of his witnesses, Lucresito Labores and Denmar Pacinio.
However, in his motion for reconsideration, Esgana claimed that his counter-affidavit and his witnesses were not truly reflective of what really transpired on both dates and put the blame on his lawyer.
“He is bound by his counter-affidavit, whether hurriedly signed or not, and he cannot be allowed to change his line of defense whenever he deems it expedient,” said Graft Investigation and Prosecution Officer III Maria Corazon Vergara-Naraja.
Narraja said they found Esgana’s claim that businessman Alex Tan was behind the filing of the complaint to be irrelevant and immaterial.
“Complainants had the right to seek redress for their grievances against respondent. Their supposed relationship or connection with respondent’s adversary is of no moment and is deemed extraneous to the issues raised before the Office,” she further said.
Sometime in April this year, Esgana figured in a quarrel with Sta. Fe Parish priest Fr. Roy Bucag over the holding of entertainment during Holy Week.
Just recently, Esgana also figured in another controversy with Cebu City Mayor Tomas Osmeña. He accused Osmeña of threatening him. (FREEMAN)