CA affirms dismissal of 18 Palawan execs

MANILA, Philippines — The Court of Appeals has affirmed the dismissal of 18 officials and employees of the Palawan provincial government tagged in the misuse of the province’s share in the Malampaya fund amounting to P2.57 billion.

In a 33-page decision released recently, the special 17th division of the appellate court upheld the 2014 decision of the Office of the Ombudsman ordering the dismissal of the personnel of the provincial capitol after finding them guilty of grave misconduct, serious dishonesty and gross neglect of duty.

Covered by the ombudsman’s ruling were Ronelo del Socorro, senior technical audit specialist; Edwin Iglesia, state auditor; Romeo Llacuna, Bernard Zambales, Pedro Gatinga Jr., Rosario Abacial, Tommy Panes, Bayani Buenaventura, Pepe Patacsil, Renato Abrina and Alfredo Padua – all engineers;

Ferdinand Dilig, general services officer; Luis Marcaida, budget officer; Rolando Bonoan Jr., Sangguniang Panlalawigan member; Samuel Madamba II, former planning and development coordinator; Orlando Colobong, accountant;

Manuela Cabiguen, assistant engineer-administration/inspectorate team leader; and Federico Rubio Jr., assistant engineer-operation/inspectorate team leader.