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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider Visayas devider Dalaguete municipal officials charged before Ombudsman

Dalaguete municipal officials charged before Ombudsman

Published May 7, 2025 09:09 pm

At A Glance

  • Charged before the Office of the Ombudsman for the Visayas on Wednesday, May 7, were Vice Mayor William Lagahid and Councilors Ernesto Tangpos, Kevin Belandres, Felix Villacorta, Royce Nikko Cesante, and Hilario Belciña; Association of Barangay Council President Elmer Licaros, and Sangguniang Kabataan President Danilo Sombilon Jr.
CEBU CITY – Charges were filed against members of the municipal council in Dalaguete town, southern Cebu province.
LAWYER Joey Borinaga (left) assists Jose Rene Moran and Braulio Moran in filing charges against members of the municipal council in Dalaguete town, Cebu province on Wednesday, May 7. (Calvin D. Cordova)
LAWYER Joey Borinaga (left) assists Jose Rene Moran and Braulio Moran in filing charges against members of the municipal council in Dalaguete town, Cebu province on Wednesday, May 7. (Calvin D. Cordova)
Charged before the Office of the Ombudsman for the Visayas on Wednesday, May 7, were Vice Mayor William Lagahid and Councilors Ernesto Tangpos, Kevin Belandres, Felix Villacorta, Royce Nikko Cesante, and Hilario Belciña; Association of Barangay Council President Elmer Licaros, and Sangguniang Kabataan President Danilo Sombilon Jr.
They were charged for alleged violation of Republic Act No. 3019 or the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act, gross negligence, serious misconduct, and serious dishonesty.
Jose Rene Moran and Braulio Moran, heirs of a lot owned by Maria Zambrano, filed the complaints.
Joey Borinaga, counsel of the complainants, said his clients decided to file the charges after the municipal government built a warehouse on the nearly 4,000-square meter lot owned by Zambrano.
The complainants accused the municipal government of failing to coordinate or inform them about the implementation of the project.
Borinaga said the town constructed a warehouse on the lot even if the complainants had already written a letter to the mayor that they would not sell the property.
The complainants said they were shocked when the warehouse was built in July 2024 for P8.1 million.
The complainants filed a separate complaint before the Ombudsman against Dalaguete Mayor Ronald Allan Cesante.
Borinaga said that on March 10, 2025, the Sangguniang Bayan included in their order of business the release of funds for the purchase of the lot.
The complainants said they immediately wrote a letter to the Sangguniang Bayan stating that they have no intention to sell their lot.
On April 28, 2025, the council approved the release of the fund but an ordinance did not mention the amount that would be released for the purchase of the lot.
“They still approved it if they had received a letter from the heirs of Maria Zambrano that they would not sell the property,” Borinaga said.
Borinaga asserted that it was irregular for the council to order the release of funds without first identifying its amount.
Respondents have yet to comment on the issue.
Cesante has described these complaints as political noise.
"However, all those are still evaluated at the Ombudsman. We submitted replies and I understand all agencies were able to comply," Cesante said.

Related Tags

Dalaguete Cebu Ombudsman
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