Argao official dismissed for misconduct

The Office of the Ombudsman has dismissed the municipal assessor of Argao town on charges of grave misconduct.

Ombudsman Merceditas Gutierrez found municipal assessor Annie Seares guilty of grave misconduct for asking money for services she rendered to transfer a parcel of land in Argao.

The case stemmed from a complaint filed in October 2001 by Conchita Amarillo, a representative of the Philippine Christadelphian Bible Mission.

Amarillo, in her complaint, alleged that Seares asked her for P25,000 to cover the expenses and her services for the sale and transfer of a parcel of land in Argao Cebu to PCBM.  However, the title of the property was not transferred to PCBM despite the payment.

“The respondent’s admission that she received P25,000 from complainant in consideration of the assistance she can give in her capacity as municipal assessor of Argao, obviously constitutes grave misconduct,” the anti-graft ruled.

On top of the dismissal order, Gutierrez also approved the filing of charges for violation of Section 7 of Republic Act 6713 or Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees against Seares before the Regional Trial Court in Argao.

Seares however can still ask for a reconsideration of the dismssal order, she was not available for comment yesterday.   — Fred P. Languido/MEEV