For graft, misconduct: Luigi Quisumbing, 2 others sued

CEBU, Philippines — Mandaue City Mayor Gabriel Luis “Luigi” Quisumbing is facing criminal and administrative complaints before the Office of the Ombudsman-Visayas over his alleged refusal to restore a former city department head to his original position at the Human Resource Management Office (HRMO).

The Civil Service Commission (CSC), in its resolution dated August 17, 2018, ordered Quisumbing to stop the implementation of his May 28, 2018 memorandum and to immediately restore Damaso Tumulak as a city government department head. Tumulak was appointed by former Mandaue City mayor and incumbent Representative Jonas Cortes as human resource management officer.

Cortes is running for mayor against Quisumbing in the national and local elections this coming May 13.

Tumulak alleged he was reassigned to the Mandaue City Abattoir in 2017 after Quisumbing assumed office.

When sought for reaction, Quisumbing denied doing this.

Later, Tumulak said he was assigned to the Umapad Dumpsite Task Force as the senior organic official as per memorandum dated May 21, 2018.

Disappointed, Tumulak appealed his reassignment before the CSC. However, days after he filed an appeal, lawyer Mae Elaine Bathan, the chief of staff of Quisumbing, allegedly issued a memorandum terminating his communication allowance, so she was included in the complaint.

After the CSC ruled in his favor, Tumulak said he sent a letter addressed to Quisumbing on August 24, 2018 but the latter allegedly refused to honor the CSC resolution.

Despite the CSC resolution, management and audit analyst Loreta Perez, an officer-in-charge of the HRMO, continued to head the office with the approval of Quisumbing, so Tumulak also included her in the complaint.

Quisumbing recently issued a memorandum designating Marivic Pepito as OIC-HRMO relieving Perez despite the resolution of the CSC, Tumulak said.

Criminal complaints violating Republic Act 3019 or the Anti-graft and Corrupt Practices Act, usurpation of authority or official functions, violation of Executive Order No. 292 otherwise known as the Administrative Code of 1987 and administrative complaints for grave misconduct, oppression, and/or violation of existing Civil Service Law and Rules of Serious Nature were filed against Quisumbing, Bathan, and Perez.

Tumulak also asked the Office of the Ombudsman to preventively suspend the respondents from office while the investigation is pending.

Bathan said she was not aware of the complaints filed against them, but they will answer them in the proper forum.

“I am not aware of any case filed against me and mayor by Mr. Tumulak, a former barangay captain and a die-hard supporter of Congressman Cortes, who seems to be confused with his role as a regular employee and a politician,” she said.

“That’s the beauty of the legal process; it will reveal the innocence of one and the ignorance and unprofessionalism of the other,” she added. — BRP (FREEMAN)