Mayor seeks TRO vs Ombuds dismissal

BACOLOD CITY, Philippines — "I am still the mayor of Bacolod City," Mayor Evelio Leonardia declared yesterday in response to the order of the Office of the Ombudsman dismissing him and nine others from their posts for alleged grave misconduct and gross neglect of duty.

"To dispel what my political opponents are peddling, I am still the mayor of Bacolod City and we had already filed our petition for temporary restraining order and injunction with the Court of Appeals," Leonardia said.

The dismissal order stemmed from the questionable procurement of P50 million in furniture and fixtures for the local government center between 2008 and 2010, during the incumbency of Leonardia as mayor of this city.

Aside from Leonardia, also ordered dismissed from government service were Goldwyn Nifras, who was the chairperson of the bids and awards committee at the time; former city budget officer Luzviminda Treyes, BAC vice chair; former city treasurer Annabelle Badajos; BAC member Nelson Sedillo Sr.; technical working group members Belly Aguillon, Aladino Agbones and Jaries Ebenizer Encabo, and BAC Secretariat head Melvin Recabar.

Two respondents were not included in the determination of liabilities: Former city legal officer Allan Zamora, who died during the pendency of the case, and lawyer Gliceria Caduhada, who could not be served with a copy of the order to file a counter-affidavit.

The dismissal order, contained in a resolution penned by Assistant Ombudsman Edna Dino and approved by Ombudsman Conchita Carpio-Morales last month, also found probable cause to charge Leonardia and his co-respondents for violating Section 3(e) of the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practice Act.

Leonardia admitted that the resolution surprised them, because, for a while, we were told that it had already been "closed and terminated." He however assured Bacoleños that the "fight is not over."

We shall face this case squarely, and we shall argue our case on its merits and clear our names at the proper forum, said Leonardia, adding that they are confident that in the end "this will result to something positive for us."

Citing similar cases of Cagayan de Oro City Mayor Oscar Moreno, Capiz Governor Victor Tanco Sr. and Negros Oriental Governor Roel Degamo-who were all exonerated under the Aguinaldo doctrine-Leonardia said, " I am expecting that ours will eventually see a similar ending."

If it is any consolation, the Ombudsman's resolution was clear on the following that no money was stolen from the government, and all goods were fully delivered, not overpriced, and neither with conspiracy nor bad faith, Leonardia added. (FREEMAN)