Ombudsman junks Puentevella’s motion

THE Office of the Ombudsman has denied the motion for reconsideration filed by former Bacolod City Mayor Monico Puentevella on the case filed against him by former Councilor Carlos Jose Lopez for lack of merit.

He will be administratively liable for simple misconduct and will face a one month and one day suspension.

The ruling is stated in the order dated September 29, 2016 signed by Ronald Brian Go Evangelista, graft investigation and prosecution officer I, and approved by Ombudsman Conchita Carpio-Morales.

In 2015, Lopez filed an administrative case for abuse of authority, misconduct, and conduct prejudicial to the best of the interest of the service against Puentevella, former City Legal Officer Rayfrando Diaz II, Building Official Officer Isidro Sun, Jr., and Building Inspector Jose Marea Makilan.

On December 9, 2014, Puentevella was directed by the Ombudsman to implement the suspension order of Sun and Makilan but in reply, he issued a letter insisting that “in the spirit of Christmas, the affectivity of the order against the officials being suspended is set on January 1, 2015.”

The Ombudsman said Puentevella’s present motion presents no newly-discovered evidence, neither does it present any substantial argument which had not been already weighed, and absorbed in the rationale of the assailed decision.

Although Puentevella is no longer in public office, it will still enforce the implementation of the suspension order against him by converting it into a fine equivalent to his one-month salary and one day, payable to the Office of the Ombudsman.

Trending

No stories found.

Just in

No stories found.

Branded Content

No stories found.
SunStar Publishing Inc.
www.sunstar.com.ph