TACLOBAN CITY — The Office of the Ombudsman’s decision to dismiss Palompon, Leyte Mayor Ramon Oñate and 10 other elected officials for grave misconduct and serious dishonesty remains unenforced, despite the ruling being approved on September 24, 2024.
The decision mandates their removal from office, accompanied by penalties including the cancellation of eligibility, forfeiture of retirement benefits, and perpetual disqualification from holding any government position.
The case was filed by Ian Jay Arevalo in November 2023.
On September 10, 2024, the Ombudsman issued the ruling, which was then transmitted to the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) for enforcement on September 26.
Despite this, no turnover proceedings have occurred to formally transfer the Office of the Municipal Mayor to Vice Mayor Ferdinand Dela Calzada, raising concerns about delays in the enforcement process.
Also found guilty were Sangguniang Bayan members Margarito Bensig Jr., Esperanza Sumalinog, Emmanuel Laurente, Consuelo Bonghanoy, Ranulfo Gaspan Sr., Jonathan Yap, and Rene Camposano, along with local legislative staff assistant Debbie Ann Dignos.
Meanwhile, Oñate and the dismissed councilors have continued engaging with barangay officials and utilizing municipal resources, which has further aggravated the situation.
The charges leading to their dismissal involved the purchase of fuel, oil, and lubricants worth approximately P57,000 for three unserviceable vehicles in 2021, during Oñate’s tenure as vice mayor.
Additionally, Oñate, who had initially filed for reelection, withdrew his certificate of candidacy on Oct.8, replacing it with that of his daughter, Mary Dominique Oñate, for the May 12, 2025 elections.
(JOEY A. GABIETA)
