Aklan mayor booted out by Ombudsman wins

ILOILO CITY — Less than three weeks after he was removed from office by the Ombudsman, former mayor Ciceron Cawaling of Malay town in Aklan was voted again into office.

Cawaling garnered 16,277 defeating former mayor John Yap who got 12,620 votes and Rodgiet Ranara who had 1,200 votes.

Cawaling’s running mate Frolibar Bautista also won against Mayor Abram Sualog and Eliberto Daguno.

The Ombudsman on April 15 ordered the dismissal from office of Cawaling after he was found guilty of grave misconduct, gross neglect of duty, conduct unbecoming of a public official, and conduct prejudicial to the best interest of the service in relation to the implementation of national laws and local ordinances protecting the environment and regulating construction activities on Boracay Island.

The Ombudsman also ordered the forfeiture of their retirement benefits and perpetual disqualification from government service.

But Cawaling, who has repeatedly denied the charges, remained a candidate as the Ombudsman decision can still be appealed up to the Supreme Court. (Editor: Leti Boniol)