Ex-Romblon mayor charged with unlawful appointment

A former municipal mayor in Romblon was charged before the Sandiganbayan with  appointing in the municipal government a defeated Sanggunian Bayan candidate despite the election ban.

The Office of the Special Prosecutor filed one count of violation of Article 244 of the Revised Penal Code against former Concepcion municipal mayor Lemuel Cipriano.

He was accused of taking advantage of his office in appointing Diosdado Atillano as administrative officer in the municipal government despite knowing full well Atillano was ineligible for appointment having run and lost in the May 2013 elections for the Sanggunian Bayan.

Atillano was appointed in August 2013, just months after the May 2013 elections or even before the one-year ban had lapsed.

The Local Government Code prohibits losing candidates (except those who lost in the barangay elections) from being appointed to any office in government within one year after the elections.

Cipriano was accused of violating Article 244 of the Revised Penal Code, which penalizes unlawful appointment by any public officer who shall knowingly nominate or appoint to any public office any person lacking the legal qualifications.

The offense is punishable with arresto mayor with a fine not exceeding P1,000. JE/rga