The Office of the Ombudsman (OMB) has ordered the 90-day suspension of Paoay, Ilocos Norte mayor Shiela Abuy Galano with municipal Office of the Senior Citizens Affairs (OSCA) head Augusto Panilo Cabie over the controversy surrounding the latter’s reappointment.
The OMB ordered the two officials suspended without pay after they were found to be administratively liable for simple misconduct over the issue.
According to asdistant ombudsman and spokesperson Atty. Mico Clavano, Galano and Cabie’s suspension stemmed from a complaint filed against them by former Paoay vice mayor Ferdinand Ignacio.
Ignacio filed his complaint against the two officials in December two years ago, questioning Galano’s decision to reappoint Cabie as head of the municipal office tasked with addressing the concerns of senior citizens.
In a resolution, the Ombudsman found substantial evidence to hold the two respondents administratively liable for simple misconduct but dismissed the more serious charges of grave misconduct and abuse of authority for lack of merit.
The anti-graft body noted that the evidence did not establish that the officials had wrongfully caused bodily harm, imprisonment or other injury to support the more serious allegations.
The complaint also cited alleged violations of Section 3 of Republic Act 3019, or the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act, and Article 244 of the Revised Penal Code, which penalizes unlawful appointments.
On the issuance of the OMB order for suspension, the Department of the Interior and Local Government in Ilocos Norte immediately followingserved Galano with the 90-day suspension order on Monday, 19 October.
Separately, Galano is facing a criminal case for alleged violation of Article 244 of the Revised Penal Code in connection with Cabie’s appointment.
With Galano’s suspension, Paoay vice mayor Leah Buduan is set to assume the role of officer-in-charge of the municipal government while first-ranked municipal councilor Efren Valdez is expected to serve as acting vice mayor.
As of Tuesday, Galano has yet to issue a public statement regarding the Ombudsman’s ruling.
Meanwhile, Ignacio welcomed the administrative decision and stated that he was looking forward to the proceedings in the criminal case against the mayor.
