By Tomasita Asequia,
Correspondent
EMBATTLED Iligan City Vice Mayor Ruderic Marzo and his political allies can now heave a sigh of relief—at least for the time being.
This, after the Office of the Ombudsman in Manila dismissed the charges filed against them by incumbent and Mayor-elect Celso Regencia.
Marzo and at least a dozen other local government officials were exonerated from criminal and administrative cases, according to resolutions approved by Ombudsman Conchita Carpio–Morales on May 16.
A copy of the ruling was released to the media Friday, June 24.
The dispositive portion of the Joint Resolution on cases no. OMB-M-C-15-0252 and OMB-M-C-15-0309, and OMB-M-C-0384, and OMB-M-A-0466 indicated the dismissal of the charges.
In the first and second cases, Regencia and Rafael Benedictos Jr. accused Marzo and other incumbent officials for falsification and “abuse of authority; conduct prejudicial to the best interest of the service; dishonesty; grave misconduct.”
The charges in the third and fourth cases were for falsification of public documents, usurpation of authority or official functions, and grave misconduct abuse of authority.
The fourth case was for grave misconduct and abuse of authority.
The Ombudsman said the first and second cases stemmed from the reinstatement of Tomas Cabili as city legal officer by Marzo which was concurred by the city council.
Cabili and the members of the city council were also respondents in the cases.
“Complainants alleged that on 27 April 2015, (Regencia) started serving his (six) months suspension without pay imposed by the Office of the President,” reads part of the decision.
On May 5, last year, Marzo –– who was then acting city mayor –– reinstated Cabili to his post and endorsed the approval of his appointment to the council.
“Complainants contend that the reinstatement of Cabili, the corresponding concurrence of respondent-(Sangguniang Panlungsod) members, Cabili’s performance of official functions as City Legal Officer, and the giving of salaries to him are all illegal,” the Ombudsman said.
However, the Ombudsman noted that the records were bereft of evidence to prove that respondents conspired with one another to commit an offense in connection with their official duties, adding that the charge of usurpation of authority is “unmeritorious.”
On the other two cases, Carpio–Morales ruled that at the time of Regencia’s “surrender, for the criminal complaint of multiple murder and multiple frustrated murder, he was immediately detained, thus, being under detention, he was legally incapacitated to perform the duties of the City Mayor.”
The Ombdusman also ruled that “there is no evidence to support the charges against the council members. In like manner, the charges against (Cabili and other officials) are bereft of merit, as they only acted upon orders of authority.”
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.
