Bislig mayor cleared of grave misconduct

BISLIG CITY , Philippines — The Court of Appeals (CA) has cleared the mayor of this city of administrative liability in connection with the alleged anomalous purchase of a heavy equipment in 2012.

In a 13-page decision released recently, the CA reversed the resolution of the Office of the Ombudsman dismissing Navarro for grave misconduct.

The appellate court said the ombudsman “capriciously and whimsically exercised its discretion and grossly misappehended the facts” when it found Navarro liable for the alleged offense.

The ombudsman said Navarro approved the purchase of a hydraulic excavator which the Commission on Audit found non-compliant with the technical specifications on engine power, bucket capacity and operating weight.

In reversing the ruling, the CA cited the “competence and technical expertise” of the bids and awards committee to handle the bidding process.

“There is no reason for petitioner not to rely on its recommendations... He acted well within the bounds of propriety when he approved the purchase of the hydraulic excavator,” the CA ruling read.