Ombudsman orders Quisumbing to answer criminal, admin charges

CEBU, Philippines — The Office of the Ombudsman Visayas has directed Mandaue City Mayor Gabriel Luis Quisumbing to answer the criminal and administrative complaints filed by four City Hall employees he reassigned to Umapad dumpsite.

Lawyer Elaine Bathan, executive secretary of the mayor, said they received the order dated December 17, 2018 only this week. Bathan said they will immediately comply with the order.

Quisumbing was charged with violation of Republic Act 3019 or the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act, Grave Misconduct and Oppression by Damaso Tumulak, Andres Suson, Florentino dela Paz Jr. and Danna Jane Escalante.

The complainants were reassigned by Quisumbing to a task force in Umapad dumpsite. Tumulak was the former head of the human resources department while Suson was assistant city engineer.Dela Paz was assistant commissioner of the City Sports Commission and Escalante was an administrative aide.

Tumulak questioned their transfer to the task force because they had no expertise on the matter. The Civil Service Commission (CSC)-7 earlier ordered their reinstatement to their old positions but the mayor allegedly failed to comply prompting them to bring the matter before the anti-graft office.

Acting on the complaint, the Ombudsman initially found enough basis to proceed with the preliminary investigation and administrative adjudication proceedings, hence, Quisumbing was required to submit his counter-affidavit. — FPL (FREEMAN)