Camarines governor suspension affirmed

MANILA, Philippines - The Office of the Ombudsman has affirmed its decision suspending the governor of Camarines Norte for one year for defying an order of the Civil Service Commission (CSC).

The anti-graft agency said yesterday that Gov. Edgardo Tallado, formerly of the ruling  Liberal Party (LP), committed oppression and grave abuse of authority for refusing to reinstate provincial veterinarian Edgardo Gonzales in November 2013.

Tallado was expelled from the LP after news of his extramarital affair came out on social media last year.

The ombudsman rejected Tallado’s claims that he was denied due process when the suspension order was issued against him in October.

Ombudsman Conchita Carpio-Morales said the respondents were given the opportunity to be heard and failed to present evidence to warrant a reversal of the assailed order.

Aside from Tallado, the ombudsman suspended former provincial legal officer Sim Mata for one year, while supervising administrative officer Mario dela Cruz for six months.

But since Mata resigned in June 2013, the anti-graft court converted his suspension into a fine equivalent to six months of his salary.