By NITZ ARANCON Correspondent THE Office of the Ombudsman has changed its 2015 ruling to dismiss the barangay chairman of Macasandig here for grave misconduct. Ernesto Edrote followed the Sept. 30, 2015 order and stepped down as the leader of Macasandig, allowing barangay councilor Aaron Neri, a former member of the city council, to assume the position. But with the ombudsman’s recent ruling, Edrote is preparing to take over again. Neri, incidentally, is one of Edrote’s accusers. The other complainants are Jesus Olano, Carlson Villegas and Eric Waban. In its latest ruling, the ombudsman downgraded the case against Edrote from grave misconduct to simple neglect of duty. Instead of dismissal, the ombudsman slapped Edrote with a three-month suspension order without pay. The ombudsman however stood firm in its 2015 decision against former barangay treasurer Ma. Fe Campanilla and barangay secretary Rey  Ranes Balandra. It upheld its decision to dismiss and bar them from holding public office for grave misconduct. Reads part of the ruling: “The motion  for reconsideration with its supplement is partially granted. The decision dated 30 September 2015 is modified such that the charge of grave misconduct against respondent Ernesto P. Edrote is dismissed. He instead found guilty of simple neglect of duty and is meted out the penalty of suspension from office for three months without pay. “The  finding and the penalties imposed against respondents Ma. Fe T. Campanilla and Rey  Ranes Balandra  in the decision dayed  30 September  2015, are maintained.” The ombudsman ordered Mayor Oscar  Moreno to implement the new ruling within 10 days after he receives the ruling. Moreno was also directed to submit a compliance report. The decision is contained in a six-page document issued as a result of a motion  for  reconsideration filed by Edrote. The decision was signed by Deputy Ombudsman for Mindanao Rodolfo Elman in June 6. Edrote and his subordinates were charged with grave misconduct because of the barangay’s purchase of construction materials worth P50 thousand from an establishment owned by Balandra. The ombudsman said Edrote was liable only for simple neglect of duty for the acts of his subordinates which he failed to check as the head of the procuring entity. “His reliance on a subordinate’s recommendation when prudence suggest a more circumspect approach makes him liable for simple neglect of duty,” stated Elman in his ruling.