THE Ombudsman has suspended Camarines Norte Gov. Edgardo Tallado for six months for immorality over his nude photographs and a sex video showing him with his alleged mistress that went viral online in 2014.
“Wherefore, judgment is rendered finding respondent Edgardo Tallado administratively liable for disgraceful and immoral conduct for which he is meted the penalty of six months suspension and one day without pay,” the Ombudsman’s order said.
Mary Rawnsley Lopez, the Ombudsman’s public information officer, said the decision was written on Aug. 8.
“The suspension is confirmed for disgraceful and immoral conduct,” she told the Manila Standard.
Ombudsman Conchita Carpio Morales ordered Interior Secretary Ismael Sueno to implement the decision.
Jonel Revuelta Banal, the complainant, filed the case against Tallado, saying Tallado must be charged criminally for marital infidelity.
Tallado violated the law and embarrassed Camarines Norte as a result of the proliferation of his photos and sex video with his 24-year-old mistress, Banal said.
In October 2014 the governor’s wife, Josefina Tallado, appeared in public after missing for a week, saying she escaped from their home when her husband, armed with a gun, got mad at her and accused her of leaking the uncompromising photos of his alleged mistress on
social media.
Weeks later, Tallado apologized to his family and constituents.
In October 2015 the Ombudsman also suspended Tallado for a year, along with provincial legal officer Sim Mata Jr. and supervising administrative officer Mario de la Cruz, over his failure to implement a 2013 Civil Service Commission order to reinstate provincial veterinarian Edgardo Gonzales, who was dismissed in 2012.
The Ombudsman found Tallado guilty of oppression and grave abuse of authority.
“Evidently, the oppression in this case emanated from the adamant and sustained refusal of Tallado to implement the CSC resolution in collaboration with Mata,” the suspension order read.