PUERTO PRINCESA CITY -- Over a thousand supporters of beleaguered Mayor Lucilo Bayron barricaded the City Hall building as early as 4 a.m. Wednesday, February 8, to "prevent and protest" the serving of his dismissal order by the Office of the Ombudsman.
Bayron has been suspended for grave misconduct and serious dishonesty for hiring his son as manager of a government project and giving him supervision over City Government personnel.
Oscar Lapida, a major supporter of Bayron, leads the protesters in blocking entry and exit points to the City Hall building in Barangay Sta. Monica following words Tuesday night that the dismissal ordered by Ombudsman Conchita Carpio Morales will be served Wednesday morning.
Lapida said they have no intention to interrupt regular business day in the government building, but they also do not want the mayor dismissed as he is not guilty of the findings.
As of 1 p.m. Wednesday, Bayron is at the Court of Appeals (CA) with his lawyers submitting a motion for temporary restraining order following the Ombudsman’s findings.
“He is in Manila at the Court of Appeals right now,” according to City Information Officer Richard Ligad.
Bayron was found guilty of grave misconduct for violating Memorandum Circulars 26 and 26-A, series of 1997 by the Civil Service Commission.
The circulars prohibit his son, Karl, a "non-career official," to be hired as project manager of Bantay Puerto and to have the responsibilities of supervision over career and regular personnel and staff of the City Government.
Karl reportedly transferred Rigor Cobarrubias, 28, to the City Traffic Management Office without authority.
The Ombudsman also ruled that the Bayrons must be perpetually dismissed from holding any public office for not disclosing their relationship as father and son in the contract of service to hire Karl as project manager of Bantay Puerto. (PNA)