CA affirms reinstatement of Nueva Ecija town mayor

MANILA, Philippines - The Court of Appeals (CA) has affirmed with finality its decision reinstating Mayor Lucio Uera of Pantabangan, Nueva Ecija in his post.

In a resolution promulgated on Oct. 13, the appellate court stood by its earlier decision, reversing the dismissal of Uera by the Office of the Ombudsman.

The ombudsman found the mayor guilty of grave misconduct for using armed men in preventing some municipal hall employees from reporting to work.

The CA dismissed a motion filed by the ombudsman, saying the anti-graft office failed to raise new arguments that would warrant the reconsideration of its decision.

It said the grounds raised by the anti-graft agency merely reiterated the issues that had been considered and passed upon by the appellate court when it issued its decision in June.

“I know this might be far from over but I urge all parties to respect the court’s decision. I will continue to work for the citizens of Pantabangan,” Uera said.

Uera sought the CA’s help after the ombudsman denied an appeal he filed in October last year.

The appeal was still pending when Ombudsman Conchita Carpio-Morales approved the order dismissing Uera.

The mayor sought a temporary restraining order on the ombudsman’s decision, which the CA granted.

Uera urged Vice Mayor Ruben Huerta, who assumed the post following his dismissal, to vacate his office immediately.

Huerta, who has been insisting that he be recognized as mayor, has refused to yield to the latest CA order and has reportedly locked himself in the municipal building together with his supporters.