Five incumbent councilors of the municipality of Tinambac in Camarines Sur who are re-electionists in the upcoming May 2022 polls are facing immediate dismissal from their current positions, including the penalty of perpetual disqualification from holding public office.
In a decision rendered by the Office of the Ombudsman last September 6, 2021, seven respondents were found administratively liable for grave misconduct and grave abuse of authority/oppression. They are incumbent municipal councilors June C. Barrion, Glenn F. Abiog, Giuseppe “Bobot” P. Prades, Jona A. Geronimo, Veridiana “Diane” Cortan, and former Municipal Councilors Celeste R. Delos Angeles and Oscar Brioso.
June Barrion, Glenn Abiog, Bobot Prado, Jona Geronimo, Diane Cortan and former councilors Celeste Delos Angeles and Oscar Brioso.
The same charges against Tinambac mayor Ruel Brioso Tuy were dismissed by the Ombudsman due to lack of substantial evidence.
According to Tinambac DILG Officer Josef Armenta, the charges also covered the alleged irregularities in the respondents’ issuance of cockpit franchises and cockpit-related municipal ordinances.
The decision which was signed by Deputy Ombudsman for Luzon, Hon. Cornelio Somido, and approved by Hon. Samuel R. Martires, includes the following penalties:
- a) Dismissal from the service
- b) Forfeiture of retirement benefits
- c) Perpetual disqualification from holding public office
- d) Cancellation of civil service eligibility
- e) Bar from taking civil service examinations
Meanwhile, the penalties for former councilors Delos Angeles and Brioso shall be converted into a fine in an amount equivalent to a year of their respective salaries.
Assistant Ombudsman Hon. Jose M. Balmeo, Jr. had issued an implementation order for the Department of Interior and Local Government to implement the said decision immediately upon receipt.
In the same implementation order, a motion for reconsideration, case review or other legal remedies shall not affect the immediate implementation of the said decision.
The decision order was served last Monday, January 3.
As a result of the Ombudsman’s decision, the five incumbent councilors will be removed from office and at the same time will be automatically disqualified from running in the May 2022 elections.
The disqualification of the said officials will leave One Tinambac of the Tuy-Prades tandem with only three candidates for municipal councilor.
The Ombudsman’s decision is just one among the several other issues that confront the present administration of Mayor Ruel Brioso Tuy and Vice Mayor Belle Prades. Not long ago, the Commission on Audit issued Notices of Suspension to the said LGU for allegedly anomalous transactions amounting to millions of pesos.
(Source: Bicol News)