BGLF, DILG have 10 days to implement dismissal order

CEBU, Philippines - The Bureau of Local Government Finance (BLGF) and the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) is given ten days to submit their compliance report upon receipt of the decision from the Office of the Ombudsman-Manila dismissing four Capitol officials for their involvement in the Balili lot fiasco.

Deputy Ombudsman for the Visayas Pelagio Apostol said since Roy Salubre and Emme Gingoyon are under the BLGF, the bureau will implement the dismissal order.

“Once they (respondents) receive the order kailangan madismiss muna

sila sa serbisyo kasi executory ang desisyon ng Office of the Ombudsman,” Apostol said.

But since Acting Governor Agnes Magpale is now the head of Capitol, she can help in the implementation of the order.

Earlier, Graft Investigation and Prosecution Officer Blesilda Ouano found suspended Gov. Gwendolyn Garcia, former provincial board member Juan Bolo, members of the appraisal committee namely, Anthony Sususco,  Salubre and Eulogio Pelayre and Budget Officer Emme Gingoyon guilty of grave misconduct for the purchase of the 24.9-hectare Balili property worth P98.9 million.

The DILG will be the one to implement the dismissal of Pelayre.

Sususco has already retired from service.

In her decision, Ombudsman Conchita Carpio Morales said public funds were misused when Capitol acquired the property that was mostly submerged in the sea.

Half of the amount used to pay the property came from Capitol’s budget not specifically allocated for the purchase but for Site Development and Housing Program under Social Services.

Aside from dismissal, their retirement benefits will also be forfeited and they will be barred from holding public office.

The administrative liability of Garcia and Bolo has been rendered “moot and academic” after Garcia’s reelection in 2010.

Bolo lost his bid for provincial board in the same election.

If no disqualification case is filed and approved, the Commission on Election says the administrative case against Garcia would not affect her candidacy.

“Unless she is disqualified by the Comelec En Banc, padayun ang kandidatura,” said Cebu Provincial Supervisor Atty. Lionel Marco Castillano.

But Castillano said that unlike nuisance candidates where Comelec has motu propio power, a third party is needed to file a disqualification case against Garcia.

But Castillano said that basically, the candidacy is not affected especially because the administrative liability of Garcia has been mooted.

Under the Aguinaldo Doctrine, a reelected local official may not be held administratively accountable for misconduct committed during his prior term of office.

Castillano also explained that the ban on suspension of local officials during the election period excludes suspensions related to violations of anti-graft and corrupt practices and the Ombudsman would not need clearance from the Comelec to implement the said suspension. 

Meanwhile, the Philippine Association of Local Treasurers and Assessors (PHALTRA) and Regional Association of Treasurers and Assessors (REGATA) will be giving financial assistance to one of their members, Salubre.

Acting Cebu City Treasurer Emma Villarete said that the organizations were saddened by the recent development in the Balili lot controversy that involves Salubre.

“For those members who experienced suspension or cases, the association will be giving something in a form of a financial assistance,” said Villarete.

Meanwhile, the two organizations will oppose the plan to localize the appointment of treasurers.

 â€œThe associations will make a move to oppose the plan since they still wanted to be under the umbrella of the Department of Finance- Bureau of Local Government Finance (DOF-BLGF),” said Villarete.

Villarete said that treasurer’s office is vital in a local government unit and once the treasurers will be upon the appointment of the local chief executive whose term will only last for three years, the continuity of the strategies for revenue collection of the treasurer’s office will be affected.— (FREEMAN)