Ombudsman finds Caraga mayor guilty of neglect of duty
THE Office of the Ombudsman has found the mayor of Caraga, Davao Oriental guilty of simple neglect of duty.
The Ombudsman said Caraga Mayor Alicia Mori failed to comply with President Rodrigo Duterte’s directive to clear roads in her town of illegal structures and constructions.
The DILG has filed a case against the mayor.
“Walang lugar ang pagpapabaya sa tungkulin lalong-lalo na ngayon sa panahon ng pandemya. Nawa’y magsilbing babala ang desisyon ng Ombudsman sa iba pang lokal na opisyal na hindi sumusunod sa direktiba ng ating Pangulo,” DILG Secretary Eduardo Año said.
Last March 10,Ombudsman Samuel Martirez found Mori guilty of simple neglect of duty, with the penalty of reprimand, pursuant to Section 10 (b) of the Ombudsman Administrative Order 17, Series of 2003.
The Ombudsman warned Mori that a repetition of the same act shall be dealt with more severely.
Under Section 444 (b) 1 (iv) of Republic Act 7160 or the Local Government Code, a municipal mayor shall initiate and propose legislative measures to the Sangguniang Bayan and, from time to time as the situation may require, provide such information and data needed or requested by the Sanggunian in the performance of its legislative function.
Records also revealed that Mori only conducted road clearing operations in her town in October 2019.
“Had the respondent been more attentive of her duties as the local chief executive, significant results or even full compliance would have been achieved within the period prescribed by the DILG MC,” the Ombudsman decision said.
DILG MC 2019-121 enjoins all provincial governors, city and municipal mayors, punong barangays, and heads of local sanggunians to exercise their powers to reclaim public roads from illegal structures and obstructions as directed by the President.
