- DILG serves Ombudsman’s dismissal order vs. the Paoay town mayor
- Galano’s camp files a motion for reconsideration
PAOAY, Ilocos Norte — The Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) in Region 1 served on Thursday afternoon, June 14, the dismissal order against Paoay town Mayor Jessie Galano.
Galano was not in his office when Atty. Joseph Apolonio, Legal Officer of the DILG Region 1 served the order issued by the Office of the Ombudsman.
Meanwhile, the DILG installed town Vice Mayor Dr. Eileen Llaguno-Guerrero and senior councilor Leonardo “Larry” Abundo as the new mayor and new vice mayor, respectively, by the law of succession.
In assuming her new post, Guerrero urged fellow public servants here to work together regardless of political color for the sake of good governance.
Whatever would be the result of his motion for reconsideration, I would readily abide by it, Guerrero said.
No one from the mayor’s office staff was present to receive the order.
To exert all legal remedies, the DILG group, accompanied by PNP officers, went to the house of Galano and his co-respondent, knocking their doors but the duo’s whereabouts could not be located.
Apolonio said he and his group stayed almost the whole day here for this matter, so in the afternoon, he just posted the official copy of the order on the front door of the mayor’s office.
Galano was ousted in connection with the administrative complaint filed in 2015 by then Paoay Mayor Dolly Clemente against him when he was still the vice mayor.
The complaint alleged that then vice mayor Galano signed the travel order and other related documents contrary to law on the ground that only the mayor is authorized to sign and approve such travel documents.
The Ombudsman resolved the case and found him guilty of violating Republic Act No. 6713 or Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees and Republic Act No. 7160 or The Local Government Code.
His co-respondent, the former councilor now an appointed official was likewise found guilty of the charges against him and, thus, the Ombudsman ordered him dismissed from the government service.
In the dismissal order, it stated that the Office of the Ombudsman dismissed Galano who was found guilty of grave abuse of authority, gross neglect of duty, grave misconduct and serious dishonesty for the falsification of travel documents.
The dismissal order against Galano has the accessory penalties of perpetual disqualification from holding public office, cancellation of civil service eligibility and bar from taking the civil service examination, said Apolonio to a media interview.
The same accessory penalties was imposed against the co-respondent.
Galano, in a previous press interview, said his camp has filed a motion for reconsideration.
Apolonio clarified that if the Ombudsman would favor the motion for reconsideration, the unseated mayor shall be reinstated to his position. (tri-media report)
