Board upholds closure of chicken dung business

MEMBERS of the Benguet Provincial Board dismissed the administrative case for grave misconduct against the officials of the municipality of La Trinidad.

The case was filed by Nora Lagadeo charging Mayor Romeo Salda and Business Licensing Officer Lawrence Balud for grave misconduct following a permanent closure order against the chicken dung business through Administrative Order No. 008 s. 2010 which prohibits the sale, disposal and storage of chicken dung.

The Provincial Board decided to resolve and dismiss the complaint for failure to comply with the substantial or formal requirements in filing administrative complaint and for violating the No Forum Shopping Rule stated in a provincial ordinance prescribing the rules of procedures in the filing and investigation of administrative complaints and administrative appeals.

“The affidavit complaint of Nora Lagadeo was not verified, Sec. 61 Form and filing of Administrative Complaint of the local government code emphasized this matter,” the resolution cited.

Moreover, Sec. 2 Rule V of the provincial ordinance states the complaint must be verified, accompanied by affidavits of witnesses of evidence in support with copy furnished to the Provincial Department of the Interior Local Government and the office of the Governor.

“In the case, the complaint likewise failed to furnish a copy to the Office of the Provincial Governor and the office of Provincial DILG,” the resolution adds.

Board Member Johnny Waguis added the complainant may file anew following the prescribed requirements.

Aside from the administrative case, Beatriz Timog, Rose Maliones and Arnel Lagadeo have filed a civil case of annulment of the closure order issued by the Office of the Mayor in June at the Regional Trial Court.

They have prayed for the closure order dated May 28 issued by the mayor to declare null and void.

Both parties were asked to file their position in the Regional Trial Court Branch 62.