ALBUERA, LEYTE, Philippines — The Office of the Ombudsman-Visayas had ordered the dismissal of a town councilor, after he was found administratively liable for “serious dishonesty, grave misconduct and conduct prejudicial to the best interest of the service.”
The dismissed councilor, Sergio Batistis, was found guilty for selling fake receipts and certificates of appearance during a Philippine Councilors’ League convention in Davao City last year.
Batistis, however, had since resigned from his post after PCL officers and the police “entrapped” him in Davao City, and cases were filed against him at the Ombudsman by Wilson Paclibar, a PCL official.
The Ombudsman also meted Batistis the accessory penalties of cancellation of eligibility, forfeiture of retirement benefits and perpetual disqualification from holding public office. He is also barred from taking civil service examinations.
The decision, dated November 23, 2015, was penned by Michael Mernado Jr., graft investigation and prosecution officer, reviewed by Jane Aguilar, evaluation and investigation officer, and then approved by Paul Elmer Clemente, deputy ombudsman for the Visayas on December 21, last year. (FREEMAN)