Ombud junks complaint against 2 CTO workers

THE Office of the Ombudsman-Visayas cleared two Cebu City Hall workers of charges that they abandoned their duties.

Carla Juris Tanco, graft investigation and prosecution officer, dismissed the administrative complaint for neglect of duty against administrative officer Nanette Solon and the late Christopher Ong, investigator, both of the City Treasurer’s Office (CTO) tax mapping unit.

In the resolution, graft investigator Tanco said the charge ought to be dismissed for lack of evidence.

Complainant Veronica Kong had charged Solon and Ong with abandoning their functions when they failed to close several establishments that are operating without business permits.

Kong owns a building along M.J. Cuenco Ave. and Lorega Streets, Cebu City.

In October 2005, Kong and her son went to the City Hall and inquired whether an eatery and a KTV bar located in her building have permits to operate.

The CTO revealed that the two establishments were not issued business permits.

Kong said she asked the respondents to visit the establishments but when she called for updates, Ong and Solon allegedly gave “trivial reasons” for not acting on her (Kong’s) concerns.

Solon, in her counter-affidavit, denied neglecting her tasks. She said she was informed in 2005 that Kong called the CTO to report that her (Kong) brother was doing
business in their parents’ property without the necessary permit.

Kong’s concern was referred to the Tax Mapping of Business Establishments.

Solon said she instructed Ong to inspect the videoke bar of Kong’s brother.

City Hall later sent a notice to Gregorio Santos, Kong’s brother, directing him to comply with all business requirements.

Santos completed the requirements on July 11, 2005, but Kong continued to call Solon to ask why her brother’s KTV bar was not closed.

Solon said only the mayor can close establishments that operate without permits.