Ombudsman finds ex-Lapu vice mayor guilty in reassigning ailing gov’t worker

THE Office of the Ombudsman in the Visayas found former Lapu-Lapu Vice Mayor Mario Amores guilty of oppression for transferring an ailing government employee from one office to another.

Amores was meted a suspension of six months and one day. But the decision is considered “moot and academic” since Amores is no longer with the government.

The anti-graft office said Amores failed to qualify his reasons for detailing Erlinda Chan from the Santo Rosa Community Hospital in Olango Island to a post office and eventually to a health center in barangay Caubian, Lapu-Lapu City.

The issue stemmed from a complaint filed by Erlinda Chan, the mother of former city councilor Junard Chan.

Chan occupied the position of administrative aide at the city council under the supervision of Amores.

In February 2009, Amores issued several detail orders which included Chan.

Consequently, Chan was forced to go on sick leave because of her worsening medical condition.

Chan said her transfer was intended to harass her because her son was not an ally of the administration.

Amores said he didn’t know about Chan’s health conditions until August 2009.

The anti-graft office said Chan deserved “special consideration” due to her physical condition.

The Ombudsman said the offices where Chan was transferred had nothing to do with legislative functions or the administration of the Sanggunian, which she was supposed to be attending to. Reporter Ador Vincent S. Mayol