Borbon vice mayor ordered dismissed from service

Local

IT BEGAN with an anniversary bonus meant to reward local government workers — but it ended with a dismissal order from the anti-graft office.

The Office of the Ombudsman has found Borbon, Cebu Vice Mayor Noel Dotillos guilty of grave misconduct for authorizing the release of a 2019 anniversary bonus without an approved appropriation ordinance.

In a decision dated July 18, 2025, Ombudsman Samuel Martires approved the ruling that dismissed Dotillos from the service.

The penalty includes the cancellation of his civil service eligibility, perpetual disqualification from holding public office, and forfeiture of retirement benefits.

The Ombudsman found that Dotillos, then the town’s mayor, approved the disbursement of the 2019 anniversary bonus for municipal employees despite the absence of an appropriation ordinance, violating fiscal administration rules under the Local Government Code.

The Ombudsman said these actions showed a willful intent to disregard established laws and rules.

If Dotillos’ dismissal can no longer be enforced because he has already left government service, the penalty will be converted into a fine equivalent to one year’s salary, deductible from any accrued benefits.

In a phone interview on Thursday, Oct. 16, Dotillos told MyTV Cebu that he received a copy of the order on Wednesday and that they are now working on filing a motion for reconsideration.

“Dili mana corruption ang mga taw man nakadawat ana,” he said.

Dotillos explained that the recipients were those listed in the official payroll, though he declined to reveal their number, saying it was not part of his duties.

“Grabe kaayo ilahang decision, bug-at kaayo and I [have been serving] sa gobyerno for 30 years and in-ana na ka grabe—wala pak kasuway in-ana nga kaso,” he added.

Meanwhile, complainant Emar Cuico, in a separate phone interview, told MyTV Cebu that while he understands the former mayor’s intent to reward employees, such actions must follow the proper process.

“Okay raman na mohatag og bonus pero dapat ipaagi gyud na sa council kay kwarta mana sa mga taw… Dapat open na sa taw, ipahibaw gyud sa taw ba, dapat documented gyud,” Cuico said.

The Ombudsman dismissed the complaints against Noel Gomez Enriquez, Charmane Marie Cejano Alpino, Liezel Monilar Brian, and Corazon Villareal Dotillos for lack of substantial evidence.

It also dismissed the administrative complaint against Teresita Manguat Cabahug for lack of jurisdiction.

Copies of the decision were sent to the Civil Service Commission, Commission on Audit, Commission on Elections, and the Department of the Interior and Local Government for their information and appropriate action.(MyTVCebu)