Ilocos mayor suspended for illegal appointment

PAOAY, Ilocos Norte, Philippines — The mayor of this town has been suspended for 90 days along with the chief of the Office of the Senior Citizens’ Affairs in connection with the appointment of the OSCA official.

The Office of the Ombudsman said the suspension of Mayor Shiella Galano and OSCA chief Augusto Cabie stemmed from a complaint filed by former vice mayor Ferdinand Ignacio.

In his complaint, Ignacio alleged that Galano violated Republic Act 3019 or the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act and the Revised Penal Code when he reappointed Cabie.

The ombudsman found substantial evidence for simple misconduct against Galano and Cabie, but dismissed the more severe administrative charges of grave misconduct and abuse of authority against the officials.

State prosecutors said there was no proof showing the mayor and the OSCA chief wrongfully inflicted bodily harm, imprisonment or other injury.

The order was served on Galano on Monday by the Department of the Interior and Local Government.

Vice Mayor Leah Buduan will assume as acting mayor while Galano is serving the suspension.

Cavite mayor probed for assault

Meanwhile, in Cavite, a municipal mayor is being investigated for abuse of authority after he allegedly punched a robbery suspect and attempted to use the police for his personal concerns.

The National Police Commission (Napolcom)-Calabarzon withheld the identity of the mayor pending results of investigation.

Napolcom-Calabarzon director Owen de Luna said governors and mayors are deputized representatives of the police agency as provided under the law.

Records showed the suspect, identified as Jomar Nilo Padaon, 29, was arrested on Oct. 15 for possession of a bundle of stolen copper wire.

The arrest was based on a complaint filed by an aide of the mayor.

The mayor went to the police station and reportedly punched the suspect while asking him to reveal the names of his accomplices.

Sources said that last month, the mayor also went to the police station to seek assistance regarding a land dispute.

The mayor reportedly directed police officers to evict the occupants of a property he was claiming.

However, the officers reportedly did not obey the mayor, saying their duty is confined to maintaining peace and order only.