Ombudsman suspends Leyte town mayor

The Ombudsman suspended for one year without pay Palompon, Leyte Mayor Ramon Oñate after he was found guilty of conduct prejudicial to the best interest of the service and simple neglect of duty. This was based on the 25-page decision, dated Sept. 25, signed and approved by Ombudsman Samuel Martires. Henry Encarnacion filed the complaint against the mayor on October 23, 2023, claiming Oñate gave undue favor to a poultry business owned by Oñate and his family. In a statement, Oñate described the decision as a political harassment and that there was no clarificatory deliberation conducted over the complaint. —FUTCH ANTHONY INSO