By Nora Sorino
and Tomasita Asequia
of GSD-Iligan bureau
ILIGAN City–The Office of the Ombudsman has slapped former city mayor Lawrence Cruz and 12 others with an order of dismissal and perpetual disqualification from office for grave misconduct and conduct prejudicial to the best interest of the service.
In a July 13 decision, Ombudsman Conchita Carpio Morales also held liable former vice mayor Ruderic Marzo, ex-councilors Providencio Abragan Jr., Riza Jane Magaro, Jose Zalsos, Fredirick Siao, Marlene Young, Ariel Anghay, Michelle Sweet Booc, Bayani Areola and Roy Openiano, and former city legal officer Eulalio Gaite.
City administrator Dexter Ray Sumaoy, who filed the case, said the decision stemmed from city hall’s lease of a two-hectare property in Camague which is owned by the Lluch family. The property is the site of a terminal for public vehicles bound to and coming from southern areas.
In 2004, a contract was drawn by Cruz and the the Lluch family-owned Kiwalan Lumber for the lease of the Camague property with the approval of the city council.
Sumaoy said the then mayor Cruz had a conflict of interest because he is among the heirs.
Former councilor Moises Dalisay called the decision “strange,” and announced the respondents would file a motion for reconsideration.
Dalisay said city hall continued to lease the property even after Mayor Celso Regencia took over in 2013.
Disclaimer
Mindanao Gold Star Daily holds the copyrights of all articles and photos in perpetuity. Any unauthorized reproduction in any platform, electronic and hardcopy, shall be liable for copyright infringement under the Intellectual Property Rights Law of the Philippines.
