Ombudsman affirms ex-Mindoro mayor’s dismissal

MANILA, Philippines - The Office of the Ombudsman has affirmed the dismissal from government service of a former mayor and two other municipal officials of Occidental Mindoro.

Former San Jose mayor Jose Villarosa, municipal accountant Pablo Alvaro and municipal treasurer Carlito Cajayon were  found guilty of grave misconduct, dishonesty and conduct prejudicial to the best interest of the service over the anomalous utilization of the tobacco trust fund of the municipal government in 2010, Ombudsman Conchita Carpio-Morales said in a statement issued yesterday.

Morales ordered the  perpetual disqualification from reemployment in the government service, cancellation of eligibility and forfeiture of retirement benefits of the three officials.  

Investigation showed the respondents used the tobacco trust fund to purchase 10 multicab vehicles, Christmas lights, meals and snacks for newly elected barangay captains, medicine and gravel and sand, and to pay for the bus and vehicle rentals of the municipal government amounting to P2.9 million.

The ombudsman said the money should be used “solely for cooperative, livelihood or agro-industrial projects that enhance the quality of agricultural products, develop alternative farming systems, or enable tobacco farmers to manage and own post-harvest enterprises.”

Villarosa was arrested by agents of the National Bureau of Investigation at the port of Calapan last week. He was released after posting bail of P432,000.