CEBU CITY – The Court of Appeals has junked the petition of former Palompon, Leyte Mayor Ramon Oñate and other local officials for a Temporary Restraining Order (TRO) against a ruling by the Ombudsman dismissing them from public service.
The decision of the CA 15th Division has put the reelection bid of Oñate in peril.
The petition included a prayer for the issuance of a TRO and or writ of preliminary injunction against the decision.
The Ombudsman found Oñate and 10 others guilty of grave misconduct and serious dishonesty for the misappropriation of public funds for the purchase of fuel, oil, and lubricant for three vehicles that have been decommissioned and were already beyond repair.
Ian Jay Arevalo, the late barangay captain of San Isidro, Palompon, filed the case against Oñate and other local officials before the Ombudsman.
The other respondents of the case were Sangguniang Bayan Members Margarito Bensig Jr., Esperanza Sumalinog, Emmanuel Laurente, Consuelo Bonghanoy, Ranulfo Gaspan Sr., Jonathan Yap, and Rene Camposano; drivers Alfredo Lubiano and Pablo Chavarria, and local legislative staff Debbi Ann Dignos.
Oñate and the 10 other respondents were ordered dismissed from service and their eligibility cancelled.
The Ombudsman also ordered the forfeiture of their retirement benefits and their perpetual disqualification from government service pursuant to Section 10, Rule III of Administrative Order No. 7, as amended by Administrative Order No. 17, in relation to Section 25 of Republic Act No. 6770.