Ombudsman recalls suspension of 9 mayors, 62 other officials
Published Sep 24, 2018 05:04 pm
By Czarina Nicole Ong
Ombudsman Samuel Martires has recalled suspension orders issued by his predecessor, Conchita Carpio Morales, to nine mayors and 62 other local officials for violation of the Ecological Solid Waste Management Act of 2000.
Newly Ombudsman, Supreme Court Associate Justice Samuel Martires (Czar Dancel)
“The suspension orders with respect to the mayors were recalled because there is a need to further study or for Congress to revisit the law on solid waste management,” Martires told reporters at his office on Agham Road, Quezon City on Monday.
At present, the Ombudsman is reviewing the law. “I don’t want to rely on my own studies, but I saw that the law is economically not feasible to be implemented especially by fifth and sixth class municipalities,” he said.
Martires explained that in order to close an open dump side – particularly a five-hectare open dumpsite – fifth or sixth class municipalities need at least P13 million.
As for the creation of sanitary landfills, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) told Martires that at least P50 million is needed to do so.
That amount of money, according to the Ombudsman, is not easy to come by for these local leaders.
“If this happens, baka wala na matirang mayor or vice mayor sa mga fifth class and sixth class municipalities dahil sa kawalan ng pera to close an open dumpsite (there will be no mayors or vice mayors from fifth or sixth class municipalities left due to loss of money to close an open dumpsite),” he said.
Martires has already given the order to recall the suspension of Mayor Cielo Krisel Lagman-Luistro of Tabaco City, Albay; Vice Mayor Nestor Tabinas San Pablo; former vice mayor Reynaldo Benig Bragais; Councilors Luis Burce, Lourdes Berces, Oscar Rocha, Sheina Onrubia, Raul Borejon, Celso Aytona, and Julio Chua; and City Environment and Natural Resources Officer Anselmo Cerdino.
They were earlier suspended after being found guilty of gross neglect of duty and conduct prejudicial to the best interest of the service.
The suspension order for Polangui Mayor Cherilie Sampal of Albay and Sangguniang Bayan Members Jesciel Salceda, William Buendia, Edgar Arbo, and Edna Siguenza was, likewise, recalled. They were earlier found guilty of gross neglect of duty and conduct prejudicial to the best interest of the service.
Trece Martires City Mayor Melandres Granado De Sagun of Cavite, Vice Mayor Alexander Lubigan, Sangguniang Bayan members Denver Colorado, Rona Bago, Mark Albert Montehermoso, Carlito Aure, Venancio Gatdula, Romeo De Sagun, Jhon Kester Anacan, Angelito Villanueva, and Lamberto Lubigan as well as City Environment and Natural Resources Officer Pedro Amulong Mercado were spared from their suspension order, even after they were found guilty by the previous Ombudsman for grave misconduct and gross neglect of duty.
The same goes for the suspension orders for Mayor Gerry Jaucian of Daraga, Albay; Councilors Joey Marcellana, Salvador Llamasares, Neil Montallana, and Juanito Comia; and Environment and Natural Resources Officer Henry Jacob, who were earlier found guilty of gross neglect of duty and conduct prejudicial to the best interest of the service.
Several officials were also ordered suspended for one year without pay after being found guilty of gross neglect of duty, but Martires has recalled their suspension, too.
They are Mayor Flaviano Dizon Balgos Jr. of Bambang, Nueva Vizcaya; Kawit, Cavite Councilors Angelo Emilio Aguinaldo, Armando Bernal, Gerardo Jarin, Jessica Penaloza, and Edward Samala Jr.; and Kawit Municipal Environment and Natural Resources Officer Galicano Columna.
Also included are Mayor Emilia Lourdes Poblete of Silang, Cavite; Sangguniang Bayan Members Aidel Paul Belamide, Ferdinand Amutan, Luis Batingal Jr., Nestor Patawe, Allan Tolentino, Ronilo Doneza, and Luciano De Jesus Jr. as well as Municipal Environment and Natural Resources Officer Merlina Cabrera.
The suspension orders for Paombong Sangguniang Bayan Members Arnaldo Mendoza, James Jester Santos and Zoilo Estrella, as well as Municipal Environment and Natural Resources Officer Marciana Tanghal of Bulacan were likewise recalled.
Abucay Mayor Ma. Kristine Dela Fuenta and Sangguniang Bayan members Rolando Ambrosio, Edwin Bernales, Jayson Marcelo, Arturo Mungcal of Bataan were also saved from suspension.
Rizal Mayor and former Sangguniang Bayan member Norman Ong of Palawan, Sangguniang Bayan member Wilfredo Taba and Municipal Environment and Natural Resources Officer Jerry Calamba were also spared from suspension.
Lastly, the suspension orders for Mayor Nathaniel Gertos of Bato, Leyte; Vice Mayor Roderick Rances; Sangguniang Bayan Members Rico Aureo, Gilbert Buzon, Cresenciano Avila, Bryan Gertos, Marissa Rojas, and Giovanne Gomez, together with Municipal Environment and Natural Resources Officer Glenn Eduardo Calungsod, were ordered recalled.
“In view of the ongoing review by the Office of the Ombudsman of all environmental cases, the decision in the above-docketed case is hereby recalled,” Martires' order read.
Newly Ombudsman, Supreme Court Associate Justice Samuel Martires (Czar Dancel)
“The suspension orders with respect to the mayors were recalled because there is a need to further study or for Congress to revisit the law on solid waste management,” Martires told reporters at his office on Agham Road, Quezon City on Monday.
At present, the Ombudsman is reviewing the law. “I don’t want to rely on my own studies, but I saw that the law is economically not feasible to be implemented especially by fifth and sixth class municipalities,” he said.
Martires explained that in order to close an open dump side – particularly a five-hectare open dumpsite – fifth or sixth class municipalities need at least P13 million.
As for the creation of sanitary landfills, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) told Martires that at least P50 million is needed to do so.
That amount of money, according to the Ombudsman, is not easy to come by for these local leaders.
“If this happens, baka wala na matirang mayor or vice mayor sa mga fifth class and sixth class municipalities dahil sa kawalan ng pera to close an open dumpsite (there will be no mayors or vice mayors from fifth or sixth class municipalities left due to loss of money to close an open dumpsite),” he said.
Martires has already given the order to recall the suspension of Mayor Cielo Krisel Lagman-Luistro of Tabaco City, Albay; Vice Mayor Nestor Tabinas San Pablo; former vice mayor Reynaldo Benig Bragais; Councilors Luis Burce, Lourdes Berces, Oscar Rocha, Sheina Onrubia, Raul Borejon, Celso Aytona, and Julio Chua; and City Environment and Natural Resources Officer Anselmo Cerdino.
They were earlier suspended after being found guilty of gross neglect of duty and conduct prejudicial to the best interest of the service.
The suspension order for Polangui Mayor Cherilie Sampal of Albay and Sangguniang Bayan Members Jesciel Salceda, William Buendia, Edgar Arbo, and Edna Siguenza was, likewise, recalled. They were earlier found guilty of gross neglect of duty and conduct prejudicial to the best interest of the service.
Trece Martires City Mayor Melandres Granado De Sagun of Cavite, Vice Mayor Alexander Lubigan, Sangguniang Bayan members Denver Colorado, Rona Bago, Mark Albert Montehermoso, Carlito Aure, Venancio Gatdula, Romeo De Sagun, Jhon Kester Anacan, Angelito Villanueva, and Lamberto Lubigan as well as City Environment and Natural Resources Officer Pedro Amulong Mercado were spared from their suspension order, even after they were found guilty by the previous Ombudsman for grave misconduct and gross neglect of duty.
The same goes for the suspension orders for Mayor Gerry Jaucian of Daraga, Albay; Councilors Joey Marcellana, Salvador Llamasares, Neil Montallana, and Juanito Comia; and Environment and Natural Resources Officer Henry Jacob, who were earlier found guilty of gross neglect of duty and conduct prejudicial to the best interest of the service.
Several officials were also ordered suspended for one year without pay after being found guilty of gross neglect of duty, but Martires has recalled their suspension, too.
They are Mayor Flaviano Dizon Balgos Jr. of Bambang, Nueva Vizcaya; Kawit, Cavite Councilors Angelo Emilio Aguinaldo, Armando Bernal, Gerardo Jarin, Jessica Penaloza, and Edward Samala Jr.; and Kawit Municipal Environment and Natural Resources Officer Galicano Columna.
Also included are Mayor Emilia Lourdes Poblete of Silang, Cavite; Sangguniang Bayan Members Aidel Paul Belamide, Ferdinand Amutan, Luis Batingal Jr., Nestor Patawe, Allan Tolentino, Ronilo Doneza, and Luciano De Jesus Jr. as well as Municipal Environment and Natural Resources Officer Merlina Cabrera.
The suspension orders for Paombong Sangguniang Bayan Members Arnaldo Mendoza, James Jester Santos and Zoilo Estrella, as well as Municipal Environment and Natural Resources Officer Marciana Tanghal of Bulacan were likewise recalled.
Abucay Mayor Ma. Kristine Dela Fuenta and Sangguniang Bayan members Rolando Ambrosio, Edwin Bernales, Jayson Marcelo, Arturo Mungcal of Bataan were also saved from suspension.
Rizal Mayor and former Sangguniang Bayan member Norman Ong of Palawan, Sangguniang Bayan member Wilfredo Taba and Municipal Environment and Natural Resources Officer Jerry Calamba were also spared from suspension.
Lastly, the suspension orders for Mayor Nathaniel Gertos of Bato, Leyte; Vice Mayor Roderick Rances; Sangguniang Bayan Members Rico Aureo, Gilbert Buzon, Cresenciano Avila, Bryan Gertos, Marissa Rojas, and Giovanne Gomez, together with Municipal Environment and Natural Resources Officer Glenn Eduardo Calungsod, were ordered recalled.
“In view of the ongoing review by the Office of the Ombudsman of all environmental cases, the decision in the above-docketed case is hereby recalled,” Martires' order read.