Ecija mayor probes 2 female town execs for ‘illicit affairs’

STO. DOMINGO, Nueva Ecija – Two female employees, who head two departments at the Sto. Domingo municipal hall, were subjected to an ethics hearing on Wednesday due to allegations they were having illicit affairs with fellow employees.

But their supposed paramours were not subjected to the same treatment.

One of the women was investigated after she was allegedly caught by a utility personnel with her lover inside a comfort room of the town hall in February. The other woman was rumored to be in a romantic relationship with a councilor.

The two women denied these allegations, but were ordered suspended and were subjected to a preliminary investigation by a seven-man panel led by Mayor Greg Andres, who initiated the probe.

The panel, composed of fellow employees, voted to proceed with the hearing, with five members finding probable cause that the women violated the Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards of Public Officials and Employees. Two other members abstained.

Lawyer Maranatha Osorio, counsel for one of the women, urged the panel to keep the subsequent hearings confidential but Andres rejected her appeal.

“The public is paying for our salaries and the public deserves to know what is happening inside the municipality,” the mayor informed Osorio.

The next hearing was scheduled on Sept. 30.

Andres assumed office in August to replace the previous mayor who was dismissed by the Office of the Ombudsman.