Camarines Norte gov dismissed

Tallado

The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) on Tuesday served the dismissal order issued by the Office of the Ombudsman against Camarines Norte Gov. Edgardo Tallado over a grave misconduct and abuse of authority case filed by provincial employees whose appointments he did not honor.

Interior Secretary Ismael Sueno, in a statement, said Tallado stepped down from office peacefully after Eloisa Pastor, DILG Bicol regional director, served the dismissal order.

“As reported by Director Pastor, she personally handed the decision rendered by the Ombudsman against Governor Tallado. The serving of the dismissal procedure came very peacefully. There was no resistance from Governor Tallado or his supporters, although of course, legal remedies are sought this early,” Sueno said.

Tallado was replaced by Vice Gov. Jonah Pimentel, while Board Member Michael Canlas assumed Pimentel’s seat. Tallado and Pimentel belong to the Nationalist People’s Coalition while Canlas is a member of the Liberal Party.

The Inquirer on Wednesday tried but failed to reach Tallado through his office staff. Calls made to his mobile phone went unanswered.

Aside from dismissal, Tallado was also meted the accessory penalties of cancellation of eligibility, forfeiture of retirement benefits, and perpetual disqualification for reemployment in government service.

Tallado’s dismissal stemmed from the ruling of the Ombudsman on April 18 finding him guilty of grave misconduct and abuse of authority when he invalidated, in 2010, the appointments of 48 provincial government employees, including those appointed to various positions on permanent status by former Gov. Jesus Typoco.