THE Office of the Ombudsman on Wednesday ordered the Department of the Interior and Local Government to implement a one-month suspension order on Surigao del Norte's Mainit Mayor Ramon Mondano for simple neglect of duty.
On June 14, 2016, Mondano issued a special permit allowing the conduct of cockfighting activities in Purok Masaya, Barangay Matinao on June 20 to 22 last year to celebrate the barangay fiesta.
The cockfighting activity did not have any barangay clearance.
“A clearance from the barangay where the activity is to be conducted is necessary before a city, or in this case, a municipality, can issue a permit for it. It was not shown that the purok leaders of Purok Masaya applied for a barangay clearance, hence, respondent Mayor Mondano should not have issued the Special Permit in their favor," the Ombudsman's decision read, citing the Local Government Code.
“Although the issuance of special permits for special cockfighting activities is within his authority as municipal mayor, he is duty bound to require the presentation of the barangay clearance from Barangay
Matin-ao before issuing a special permit to Purok Masaya. This he failed to do."
In another development, Ombudsman Conchita Carpio- Morales directed Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez to implement the Ombudsman's suspension order on Dapitan City treasurer Medelyn Pacatang for one year without pay for two counts of simple misconduct, two counts of violation of reasonable office rules and regulations, and gross insubordination.
The Ombudsman found that respondent patently declined to pay the salaries of two newly appointed personnel despite the directive of Dapitan City Mayor Rosalina Jalosjos.