Ombudsman Conchita Carpio Morales during the Ramon Magsaysay Festival Month Lecture. INQUIRER/ MARIANNE BERMUDEZ
Ombudsman Conchita Carpio Morales has suspended for six months Bukidnon Governor Jose Ma. Zubiri, Jr., the father of Sen. Juan Miguel “Migz” Zubiri, after he was found guilty of the administrative offense of blocking the clearance of an employee.
In a statement on Monday, Morales said Governor Zubiri was found guilty of the administrative offenses of grave abuse of authority amounting to oppression and violation of Section 5(a) of the Code of Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees or Republic Act No. 6713.
In its investigation, the Ombudsman said in January 2013, Zubiri refused to sign the clearance and act on the request for commutation of former provincial assessor Carlos Ycaro.
Zubiri in his defense claimed Ycaro could not be cleared due to “missing chairs” for which the latter was accountable.
In its decision, the Ombudsman ruled that “this cannot serve as valid excuse to deny approval of his application for leave commutation, especially where he has more than 300 days in commutable leave credits.”
The Ombudsman said Zubiri failed “to perform the mandate of Section 5(a) of R.A. No. 6713 by completely ignoring the two communications of complainant, addressed to his office.”
The Ombudsman found Zubiri guilty of grave abuse of authority or oppression, which is a misdemeanor committed by a public officer, who under his or her office commits an act of cruelty, severity, unlawful exaction, domination or excessive use of authority.
Morales ordered Interior Secretary Mike Sueno to implement the suspension. JE/rga
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