Ombuds order Victorias City mayor suspended

BACOLOD CITY  , Philippines  — The Ombudsman has suspended the mayor of Victorias City in Negros Occidental for six months without pay for dishonesty.

Victorias City Mayor Severo Palanca was found guilty of dishonesty for allegedly issuing permits to a jai-alai gaming station, according to a 22-page decision recommended by Deputy Ombudsman for the Visayas Pelagio Apostol on November 21, and approved by Ombudsman Conchita Carpio-Morales.

Also ordered suspended was Victorias City Permits and Licenses Division head Ramsy Panes for six months for the same offense.

Victorias City Vice Mayor Francis Frederick Palanca, nephew of the mayor, said the Ombudsman decision could not be implemented by the Department and the Interior and Local Government (DILG) yet, as they will still appeal the decision.

He also said the other day the mayor was on travel and has not received the decision yet. DILG provincial head Joy Maredith Madayag also said her office has not received a copy of the Ombudsman decision yet.

The complainant, James Francis Anthony Garcia, also a nephew of the mayor, alleged in his complaint that the city officials conspired and took advantage of their public positions in falsifying a public document denominated as “Business Permit” on June 23, 2010.

Garcia added that the respondents made it appear in the permit that Victorias City Sports Office head Gaudencio Corona is the owner and operator of Dalisay Amusement Games and Recreation Station at Gonzaga Street, Victorias City even if the entity does not exist.  (FREEMAN)