OMBUDSMAN Conchita Carpio Morales on Thursday directed Interior and Local Government Secretary Mel Senen Sarmiento to sack Mayor Jose Villarosa of San Jose, Occidental Mindoro over misuse of P3 million in tobacco trust fund in 2010.
The Office of the Ombudsman affirmed its order dismissing Villarosa from public service, along with accountant Pablo Alvaro and treasurer Carlito Cajayon.
Morales said Villarosa, Alvaro and Cajayon were found guilty of grave misconduct, dishonesty and conduct prejudicial to the best interest of the service.
They were also meted out the accessory penalties of perpetual disqualification from reemployment in the government service, cancellation of eligibility and forfeiture of retirement benefits, she added.
“In case of separation from the service, the penalty is convertible to a fine equivalent to respondent’s one year salary,” she noted.
Apart from misuse of the tobacco trust fund, Villarosa is also facing charges of technical malversation and violation of Section 3(e) of the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act, or Republic Act 3019.
The dismissal order of Villarosa and company arose when the latter authorized the use the tobacco trust fund to purchase 10 multi-cab vehicles, Christmas lights, meals and snacks for newly elected barangay captains, medicine, gravel and sand, bus and vehicle rentals, all totaling P2.9 million.
“Funds should be used solely for cooperative, livelihood and or agro-industrial projects that enhance the quality of agricultural products, develop alternative farming systems, or enable tobacco farmers to manage and own post-harvest enterprises,” the Ombudsman’s joint resolution read.