Barangay captain, CENRO executive meted 2 months suspension

CEBU, Philippines - The Office of the Ombudsman Visayas has suspended for two months without pay Sudlon I Barangay Captain Dante Tabucal and Cebu City Community Environment and Natural Resources Officer Fedencio Carreon after they were found guilty of neglect of duty.

Graft investigator Nelia Lagura found Tabucal administratively guilty for failure to perform his duties under the Local Government Code while Carreon was also held accountable for neglecting his mandate under the National Integrated Protected Areas Systems or NIPAS Act.

The case stemmed from a complaint filed by Josefina Gonzalo Ruiz in 2004 against them and five other officials of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources- Clarence Baguilat, Isabelo Montejo, Jun Erasmo Villafane, William Cuñado and Loreto Rivac.

Ruiz said she inherited a 24-hectare property in Barangay Sudlon from her father. However the property was allegedly occupied by George Tan Oquias. The property was fenced with chicken wire allegedly with the permission of Carreon.

Ruiz said they confronted Carreon but the latter got angry with them. They also sought Tabucal’s assistance but the barangay official also failed to assist them.

The anti-graft office however dismissed the complaint against the five DENR officials for lack of evidence.

Meanwhile, an employee of the Land Tax Division of the Register of Deeds was found guilty of dishonesty and grave misconduct. Felomina Labiaga was ordered dismissed from service with all the accessory penalties.

Labiaga was accused of dishonesty by Adriano Gasalatan, resident of Barangay Tanke, Talisay City. Gasalatan said he and his wife bought a parcel of land from Magdalena Repunte in Lawaan, Talisay City.

Labiaga was allegedly introduced to them to help in the transfer of the ownership of the lot in their names. Labiaga asked P4,750 to cover the cost for transfer and her service fee.

However, Labiaga reportedly failed to deliver the land title, instead it was allegedly mortgaged for P100,000 to Star Lending. Labiaga denied the complaint and claimed it was only meant to harass her. (FREEMAN)