Zambo town mayor dismissed

MANILA, Philippines - The mayor of a town in Zamboanga del Norte has been dismissed for grave misconduct and serious dishonesty.  

The Office of the Ombudsman also ordered the perpetual disqualification from holding public office, cancellation of eligibility and forfeiture of retirement benefits of Labason Mayor Wilfredo Balais.   

Investigation showed Balais sold a Nissan Patrol to a certain Eduardo Ayunting in November 2010 for P500,000.

Ayunting sold the same vehicle to the municipal government for P960,000 in 2011, with the deed of sale signed by Vice Mayor Virgilio Go. 

“As the vehicle’s previous owner, respondent mayor knew that the price was exorbitant, having sold it two months earlier at a much lower price… He should have warned the vice mayor not to proceed with the sale,” the decision stated.

Ombudsman probers said the acquisition of the vehicle was not in accordance with procurement laws.  

The ombudsman also ordered the suspension for three months of municipal accountant Christy Buganutan and municipal treasurer Melchor Chipoco for processing the disbursement voucher and the check for payment of the vehicle.