THE Ombudsman in the Visayas has ordered the Provincial Board to conduct an investigation on the administrative complaint filed against a councilor in Ilog town.
Vice Governor Jeffrey Ferrer said that his office has received a letter from the graft body to investigate a complaint filed against Councilor Mark Vargas before its regional office.
Ferrer said the case is for grave abuse of authority and grave misconduct.
During the regular session Board Member Sixto Guanzon (2nd district), chair of the Committee on Laws suggested that the SP as whole constitute a quasi- judicial committee to conduct the investigation.
However, upon the suggestion of Ferrer, it was agreed that Guanzon's committee along with the Committee on Good Governance chaired by Board Member Araceli Somosa (1st district) will be tasked to conduct the investigation.
The investigation is set on December 27.
"I was surprised that the Ombudsman referred it to us. While it is legal, it should be them who should resolve the case," the vice governor pointed out.
He said that when he was a councilor in La Carlota City, we also constituted as a quasi- judicial body but the complaint was filed before us.
This time it was filed with the Ombudsman in the Visayas and they referred it to the SP for investigation, he also said.
Not pre-empting the result of the investigation, Ferrer said the case 'does not involve the function and work of a public official. It involves a private transaction.'
During the investigation, both parties will be called to present their sides, he said.
"They can decide to settle it amicably during the hearing. Then we will wait for the recommendations and submit it to the Ombudsman," Ferrer said.