Duero, Bohol mayor Al Cadorniga Taculad. (Photo from Facebook)
Following the issuance of a dismissal order from the Office of the Ombudsman (OMB), Duero Mayor Al Cadorniga Taculad stepped down from office on Wednesday, September 16.
The Ombudsman ordered Taculad’s dismissal over a complaint for grave misconduct arising from his financial interest in municipal projects awarded to a construction firm owned by him.
On his departure from the municipal hall, Vice Mayor Hernes Bajao assumed the mayoralty seat in Taculad’s stead.
In its September 1 decision, the Ombudsman found Taculad administratively liable for violations of Republic Act No. 6713, or the Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees, with related provisions of Republic Act No. 3019, or the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act, and Republic Act No. 7160, or the Local Government Code.
Records showed that the case involved two municipal projects—the river control project and the rainwater collector system, which were both awarded to Altacs Construction, a company owned by him while he was mayor.
The OMB likewise found that Taculad failed to divest his interest in the company after assuming office, which is cited under the law as a conflict of interest and basis for the finding of grave misconduct.
Taculad’s dismissal carries the forfeiture of retirement benefits, perpetual disqualification from holding public office, cancellation of eligibility and a ban on taking civil service examinations.
The Ombudsman also found sufficient basis for a criminal complaint against Taculad over alleged violations of the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act, the Code of Conduct and the Local Government Code.
Prior to his dismissal, Taculad denied responsibility for some of the documents cited in the case, claiming that his signatures on several bidding documents were forged.
The Ombudsman then stipulated that the issue of the alleged forged signatures would be more appropriately resolved during trial.
In the meantime, Taculad stressed that he voluntarily stepped down as mayor to comply with the Ombudsman’s order.
In a farewell message to municipal employees posted on Facebook, Taculad stated that the administrative complaint filed against him was done by his political opponents some two years ago.
The mayor subsequently faced the complaint but acknowledged that the outcome was unfavorable.
“I will tell you that these decisions are really difficult to accept, knowing that we did nothing wrong. We did not steal any money,” he pointed out while alleging that the case was intended to derail his public service and political career.
“This is intended to destroy us. They want us to stop serving the people and to leave politics,” he asserted.
