In the latest spat between the two highest officials in Palompon, Leyte, Vice Mayor Ramon Oñate has filed a case at the Office of the Ombudsman against Mayor Myra Georgina Arevalo for alleged misconduct.
THE conflict between the two highest officials in Palompon, Leyte has reached new heights.
Palompon Vice Mayor Ramon Oñate filed a case at the Office of the Ombudsman against Mayor Myra Georgina Arevalo, accusing the latter of grave misconduct, gross neglect of duty, conduct prejudicial to the best interest of the service, and conduct unbecoming of a public officer.
Arevalo, in return, was ordered by the anti-graft body to respond to the complaint immediately.
Irregularities in disbursing funds
Oñate accused the mayor of obstructing the attendance of her department heads and employees from appearing at the Municipal Council sessions that could shed some light on certain issues particularly the funds to be utilized to finance the intended allocation for Bayanihan assistance to the public affected by Covid-19 pandemic.
According to Oñate, the council, during the 42nd regular session on April 27 last year, was elated over the availability of the said funds which consisted of about P2.3 million from the disaster management fund, and about P7 million (or 20 percent) from the Economic Development Fund (EDF).
However, Oñate pointed out that the mayor who initially insisted the unavailability of the said funds for the project was “not pleased with the appearance a revelation” and “hastily issued Memorandum 7” ordering all department heads not to appear at the Council without prior consent of the mayor.
In his complaint, Oñate asked the Ombudsman to impose a preventive suspension against Arevalo for her being liable of violations of the prevailing laws.
The Ombudsman complaint does not appear to be related to the ongoing conflict between the two officials over Oñate’s breeding farm, which Arevalo had ordered closed due to alleged lack of necessary permits.
(See also: Environment Vs Politics: Mayor Vs Vice Mayor in a Leyte town )
(JKA)
Tags: #OpinYon8, #PalomponLeyte, #Ombudsman, #RamonOñate, #MyraGeorginaArevalo