Ombudsman suspends Pangasinan mayor, vice mayor for printing names, faces on ambulance

LINGAYEN, PANGASINAN—For printing their pictures and names on the town’s ambulance, the mayor and vice mayor of Asingan town in Pangasinan province were meted a one-year suspension each by the Office of the Ombudsman.

In a seven-page decision signed by Ombudsman Conchita Carpio-Morales on Oct. 13, Asingan Mayor Heidee Chua and Vice Mayor Carlos Lopez Jr. were penalized for conduct prejudicial to the best interest of the service, simple misconduct and violation of the Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees.

Chua and Lopez could not be immediately reached for comment.

The case stemmed from a complaint filed by Asingan Councilor Evangeline Dorao on Nov. 4, 2016, who said they violated a Sept. 23, 2010 memorandum circular of the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) banning the placement of the names or initials and pictures of government officials on billboards and signs of government programs, projects and properties.

Dorao said she had reminded Chua and Lopez of the prohibition in two letters she sent them in October last year but said she did not receive any reply.

In their joint counter-affidavit, Chua and Lopez said they immediately acted on Dorao’s letters by removing their pictures and names from the ambulance on the first week of November.

They also said they did not use government funds for the printing of their pictures and stickers as certified by the town’s budget officer, accountant and treasurer.

In its ruling, the Ombudsman said Chua and Lopez could not be penalized for grave misconduct because there was no evidence that their action was tainted with corruption or a clear intent to disregard an established rule.

The Ombudsman also said Chua and Lopez were not guilty of grave abuse of authority because there was no proof that there was excessive use of their authority.

But the Ombudsman said Chua and Lopez were also administratively liable for not answering Dorao’s letters, which was a violation of a provision of the Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees.

The Ombudsman has directed the DILG to implement its decision. Gabriel CardinozaINQ