Mindanao Ombudsman dismiss 156 mayors, top rank public officials in 2015

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Too many bad eggs in Mindanao. There were 156 mayors and other top ranked government officials got dismissed by the Office of the Ombudsman of Mindanao in 2015 for various unlawful transactions.

Of these number, five mayors, one regional director, and one deputy provincial treasurer were axed from public service. Mindanao deputy Ombudsman Rodolfo Elman noted it is the highest recorded by the office.

Violations of the anti-graft and corrupt practices law remain the top common criminal offenses with 97, while there are 71 on malversation, 27 on violation of ethical standards for public officials and 25 for falsification.

Five of the dismissed from service include Labason town mayor of Zamboanga del Norte for selling his vehicle at half a million pesos to a private person, who two months later sold it to the municipality for P960,000.

Also dismissed were the mayor of Caraga, Davao Oriental for abuse of authority in connection to his P2-million loan from the municipality’s project contractor; and the mayors of Cagayan de Oro City, Ditsa-an Ramain (Lanao del Sur) and Matanao (Davao del Sur).

Employees booted from service include the regional director and director for operations of the Philippine Postal Corporation in Region 10 in their capacity as members of the Bids and Awards Committee. Both were found to have awarded a contract of survey and title properties to an unqualified contractor. The regional director and director for operations were also found liable for paying the contractor in full despite non-delivery of the complete survey plans and certificates of title.

The deputy provincial treasurer of San Miguel, Surigao del Sur and its municipal treasurer were axed for incurring cash shortages in the General Fund, Municipal Economic Enterprise Development Fund, Special Education Fund, Trust Fund and the Third Elementary Education Program Trust Fund amounting to a total of P502,987.81.

More dismissed officials for grave misconduct include 10 from Katipunan (Zamboanga del Norte) together with two former municipal councilors, municipal health officer, municipal budget officer, municipal agriculturist, an engineer, two revenue collection officers and a barangay captain.

There were 195 public officers administratively sanctioned or recommended for sanction with penalties other than dismissal in 2015. In 2014, there were 132.

Some 25 respondents are for suspension of more than six months while 136 for suspension of six months or less.

There were 206 criminal cases, in 2015, recommended for filing of information against public officers, an increase from 146 in 2014. Of these, 76 were recommended for filing of information before the Sandiganbayan and 130 cases before the regular courts. (with report from PNA)

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