In Tinambac, Camarines Sur, five (5) incumbent members of the Sangguniang Bayan of Tinambac, face immediate dismissal from service, including the penalty of perpetual disqualification from holding public office.
The 5 Tinambac councilors are all running for public office under the Tuy-Prades Team One Tinambac in the May 2022 Elections.
In its September 6, 2021 decision of the Office of the Ombudsman, seven (7) individuals – 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, were found administratively liable for Grave Misconduct and Grave Abuse of Authority/Oppression.
The decision for case OMB-L-A-18-0297 was signed by Hon. Cornelio L. Somido, Deputy Ombudsman for Luzon and approved by Hon. Samuel R. Martires.
“Penalties imposed by Ombudsman”
Penalties are enumerated as follows:
(a) Dismissal from 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
For the non-incumbents (Delos Angeles and Brioso), the penalty shall be converted into a fine in an amount equivalent to their respective salaries for one year.
“Dismissal order for immediate implementation”
Hon. Jose M. Balmeo, Jr, Assistant Ombudsman issued an implementation order last November 12, 2021 instructing the Department of Interior and Local Government to implement this decision immediately upon receipt.
According to the implementation order, no legal remedies such as a Motion for Reconsideration or case review can delay the immediate implementation of the decision.
As a consequence of the decision, the 5 incumbent officials will be stripped of their elective office in the Sangguniang Bayan and will be disqualified from the May 2022 Elections.
This will result in the Tuy-Prades’ Team One Tinambac having only 3 candidates for Municipal Councilor.
“Red flag up on Tinambac over financial issues”
The Office of the Ombudsman’s decision adds to the long list of issues that the Local Government Unit of Tinambac led by Mayor Ruel Brioso Tuy and Vice Mayor Belle Prades currently face.
Recently the Commission on Audit issued Notices of Suspension to the LGU amounting to Php 98 Million.
These notices are issued to anomalous transactions such as those without proper disbursement papers or liquidation.