By NITZ ARANCON
Correspondent
MAYOR Oscar Moreno has asked the Office of the Ombudsman to clarify an order for him to implement a dismissal order against the barangay chairman of Macasandig and two other village officials.
The officials–Macasandig barangay chairman Ernesto Edrote, barangay treasurer Ma. Fe Campanilla, and barangay executive secretary Rey Ranes Balandra–were found guilty of grave misconduct by the ombudsman.
Moreno said he immediately wrote to Deputy Ombudsman Deputy for Mindanao Rodolfo Elman because he was convinced that the order was not final and executory, and because the village officials has filed a motion for reconsideration.
Incidentally, Moreno is facing a similar legal problem after the ombudsman found him guilty of violating the Local Government Code in connection with a tax settlement between city hall and Ajinomoto Philippines. Moreno appealed the decision of the ombudsman, and secured a court order to temporarily stop moves to remove him from office while his motion for reconsideration is being considered.
The barangay officials were found guilty based on the case filed by former city councilor Aaron Neri, barangay councilor Jesus Olano, Carlson Villegas, and Eric Waban in April. The complainants said the village officials bought some P40 thousand worth construction materials from a store that belongs to Balandra, the barangay executive secretary.
Moreno said he received the ombudsman’s dismissal order against Edrote’s group during the five-day standoff at city hall. In the order, Moreno was given 10 days to serve the document.
He however said he has yet to receive a response from the ombudsman.
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