No suspension vs mayor, 24 others

NO PREVENTIVE suspension has been raised against Bacolod City Mayor Evelio Leonardia and 24 others relative to the administrative complaint for grave abuse of authority, dishonesty and grave misconduct filed before the Ombudsman.

Othello Ramos earlier asked the Office of the Ombudsman-Visayas to place Leonardia and companions under preventive suspension for allegedly having received, illegally converted, disbursed, and malversed the 20 percent national share of the Office of the Building Official of Bacolod City.

Ramos said the said fund was used as honoraria of Annabelle Badajos, city treasurer; Teresita Guadalupe, officer-in-charge of the City Engineer's Office and Office of the Building Official; Eduardo Ravena, OIC, City Account Office; Ricardo Dahil-Dahil, OIC, Management Audit Services Office; Allan Zamora, city legal officer; Ma. Gleceria Caduhada, assistant city legal officer; Vicente Petierre III, legal officer III; Rogelio Balo, secretary to the mayor; Jose Villanueva, private secretary III; Lorenza Uy, executive assistant II; Sharon Gayanelo, architect II, Bacolod Housing Authority; Orlando Dallos Jr., engineer II; Nestor Velez, engineer I; Teomar Borres, electrical inspector II; Alexander Manual, electrical inspector II; Edwin Anas, electrical inspector II; Romulo Dime, mechanical foreman; Michael Lim, clerk IV; Benjamin Ruiz, draftsman; Julio Castro, engineering assistant; Luisito Gonzaga, driver; Joery Jay Castellano, accounting clerk; Lilibeth Gamboa, local treasury officer; and Gilda Flor Colinco, local treasury officer II.

But Ombudsman Graft Investigation and Prosecution Officer II and Acting Director Samuel Malazarte stated in his order dated February 4, 2010 that there is no indication the said requirements are satisfied.

Per record of this case, of all the 25 respondents charged, only respondent Edwin Anas had been sent a notice of disallowance, and only two Audit Observation Memoranda yet were served on respondent Leonardia, Malazarte said.

As regards the possibility that respondents' continued stay in their respective offices might prejudice the just, fair and independent disposition of this case, the same is remote considering that the documents subject to this case are still in the possession of the Commission on Audit auditors, he added. (CNC)

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