But Oñate claims political harassment
TACLOBAN CITY – Palompon, Leyte Mayor Ramon Oñate has been dismissed from government service after being found guilty of grave misconduct and serious dishonesty by the Office of the Ombudsman.
The decision also includes his perpetual disqualification from reentering government service.
The ruling, issued by the Office of the Ombudsman-Manila, stems from Oñate’s actions during his tenure as vice mayor of Palompon in 2021.
Based on a 22-page decision approved by Assistant Ombudsman Pilarita Lapitan and dated September 10, Oñate, along with several co-accused, including seven members of the Sangguniang Bayan, was found guilty of misusing public funds.
The case was filed by Ian Jay Arevalo, who alleged that Oñate and his co-accused authorized the purchase of fuel, oil, and lubricants for three “unserviceable” vehicles between January and March 2021, amounting to P57,870.05.
Arevalo claimed that the vehicles had been decommissioned since 2020, as certified by the municipal motor pool officer and the general services officer.
He described the vehicles as being “parked in the junkyard, with mutilated plates and completely dilapidated.”
The Ombudsman ruled that Oñate and his accomplices committed grave misconduct by “unlawfully using their public offices to procure benefits for themselves.”
The court also found them guilty of serious dishonesty for falsifying public documents related to the transactions.
“Wherefore, judgment is hereby rendered finding Oñate… guilty of grave misconduct and serious dishonesty. He is hereby meted with dismissal from the service, cancellation of eligibility, forfeiture of retirement benefits, and perpetual disqualification from government employment,” the ruling stated.
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.
However, former councilors Evana Kirstie Misagal and William Balasabas, as well as driver Ranulfo Gaspan Jr., were acquitted as they were no longer part of the town council when the complaint was filed.
In response, Oñate claimed the Ombudsman’s decision was politically motivated, asserting that his role in signing the vouchers was merely ministerial as head of the town council.
He pointed out that the Sangguniang Bayan secretary, who prepared the documents, and the town mayor, who released the funds, were not included in the complaint.
“We were all found guilty, yet the SB secretary who prepared the documents and the mayor who released the funds were not part of the complaint,” Oñate said in an interview on Friday, October 1.
Oñate further alleged that the complainant, Ian Jay Arevalo, is the wife of former Mayor Georgina Arevalo, who is expected to run against him in the next election.
He noted that the same case was dismissed by the Ombudsman in Cebu in February of last year but was refiled in October 2023 at the Office of the Ombudsman-Manila, which led to the recent decision.
The decision, delivered to him on September 30, came just one day before the filing of certificates of candidacy (CoC) for the upcoming elections.
“It was meant to distract me, but I am not bothered because I did not steal a single centavo from the government,” Oñate said, adding that he filed his CoC on October 2 despite the ruling.
Oñate also questioned the manner in which the order was delivered, claiming it was handed to him by a representative of the Ombudsman rather than the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG), which he said should have been the proper protocol for an elected official.
He has already discussed the matter with his legal team to plan their next move.
(JOEY A. GABIETA)
