WHAT WENT BEFORE: Review of officials dismissed by Ombudsman

Several local government officials have been dismissed permanently by the Ombudsman and barred from public service permanently for grave misconduct, unexplained wealth, abuse of authority and corruption.

In October 2017, Ombudsman Conchita Carpio Morales dismissed then Mayor Aniano Antalan of the Island Garden City of Samal for accepting a P200,000 “cash gift” from a multipurpose cooperative that was awarded a pork barrel-funded project in 2012.

In August 2017, former Mayor Edwin Pangilinan of Famy, Laguna province, was dismissed after being found guilty of grave misconduct and serious dishonesty in relation to his participation in a convention on Boracay Island in 2010.

Morales also banned Damian Mercado, former Southern Leyte governor, over an irregular purchase in 2007 of three secondhand vehicles, including one he had previously owned and was more than a decade old, for P2.3 million.

In July 2017, the Ombudsman perpetually barred former Cebu City Councilor Gerardo Carillo from holding public office for making an administrative aide moonlight as a cook at his girlfriend’s restaurant during office hours.

In June 2017, former Cagayan de Oro City Mayor Oscar Moreno and seven procurement officials of Misamis Oriental province were dismissed over the misuse of P1.41 million paid to lease heavy equipment without public bidding.

In February 2017, former Tuguegarao City Mayor Jefferson Soriano was dismissed for allowing the operation of a parking terminal without the city council’s consent.

In November 2016, Edgardo Tallado, former Camarines Norte governor, was dismissed for grave misconduct and abuse of authority, in a case filed by provincial employees whose appointments he did not honor.

In October 2016, Gregorio Ipong, former Cotabato vice governor, was dismissed over irregularities in the release of his pork barrel funds in 2007.

In August 2016, former Mayor Hadji Nasser Imam of Matanog, Maguindanao province, was dismissed for defaulting on a P30-million loan after the town was hit by a series of typhoons in 2012.

In June 2016, former Gov. Roel Degamo of Negros Oriental province was dismissed for the unauthorized release of P480 million in calamity funds in 2012 despite the withdrawal of the special allotment release order for the fund disbursement.

In January 2016, former Mayor Jose Villarosa of San Jose, Occidental Mindoro, was banned from reentering public service over the unlawful use of P2.9 million in the town’s share of tobacco excise taxes in 2010.