Mayor, vice mayor dismissed over SALN violations

MANILA, Philippines - A mayor and a vice mayor have been dismissed and barred from holding public office for misdeclaring their statements of assets, liabilities and net worth (SALNs).

Nacianceno Pacalioga Jr., former mayor and now vice mayor of Dumingag, Zamboanga del Sur, was found guilty of serious dishonesty and falsification of public documents by the Office of the Ombudsman when he did not declare ownership of 10 parcels of land in his SALNs in 2011, 2012 and 2014.

The ombudsman also ordered the filing of three counts of perjury and violation of the Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees or Republic Act 6713 against Pacalioga.

In his defense, Pacalioga said he did not declare the properties because he  waived his rights over them in 2011.

The ombudsman said Mayor Montasir Sabal of Talitay, Maguindanao did not disclose ownership of five lots in Barangays Doña Luisa and Buhangin in Davao City and in Cotabato City as well as those owned by his wife and son in his SALN in 2011, 2013 and 2014.

“Non-disclosure…of the... real properties constitutes serious dishonesty as the acts were done fraudulently and committed several times,” the ombudsman ruling stated. 

Sabal will be charged with three counts of perjury and violation of Section 7 of the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act and RA 6713.

The ombudsman also ordered the cancellation of eligibility and forfeiture of retirement benefits of the two officials.