Jonkie Ouano sued for alleged unlawful appointments

Local

THE Office of the Ombudsman for the Visayas was asked to investigate Mandaue City Mayor Thadeo Jovito “Jonkie” Ouano after two barangay councilors from Compostela town, Cebu were allegedly appointed to paid city positions.

Radio commentator and international boxing judge Edward Dela Cerna Ligas on Friday, Jan. 23, filed two complaints naming Mandaue City Mayor Thadeo Jovito “Jonkie” Ouano, Barangay Cogon Kagawad Ian Negrido Arioja, and Barangay Poblacion Kagawad Renee Lynn De Guzman Castro as respondents.

The complaints cited violations of Section 3(e) of RA 3019, unlawful appointments under Article 244 of the Revised Penal Code, and administrative offenses of grave misconduct and conduct prejudicial to the best interest of the service.

Ligas alleged that Ouano approved a Contract of Service (COS) for Arioja as Administrative Specialist from August 1 to December 31, 2025, at P21,448 per month.

During this period, Arioja served as an incumbent barangay kagawad of Barangay Cogon and performed continuing administrative duties under the City Administrator’s Office.

The second complaint states that Castro, an incumbent barangay kagawad of Barangay Poblacion, was appointed as an Accounting Specialist under a COS for the same period, receiving a monthly salary of P20,110.

Her duties included maintaining financial records, verifying procurement documents, and preparing reports for audits under the City Legal Office.

Both complaints argue that Ouano acted with “evident bad faith or at least gross inexcusable negligence” by approving the COS arrangements despite clear legal prohibitions on dual employment and double compensation for elective officials.

Ligas described the contracts as a “circumvention-by-contract” tactic to allow the councilors to hold city positions while receiving public funds.

Ligas requested preventive suspension for Ouano pending investigation and the issuance of subpoenas to produce payroll and disbursement records.

The complaints also seek administrative sanctions against Ouano and the two barangay officials for grave misconduct and conduct prejudicial to the best interest of the service.

In an interview on Friday, Ouano said that it is Ligas’ right to file a case against him, adding that his team had already informed him of the possibility.

"Expected na man na, mao man ni trabaho nato as public servants, unya knowing Edward Ligas sad, pinangga sad kaayo mi ana niya kay gi-filan ako igsuon (Congresswoman Lolypop Ouano-Dizon)," he said.

He added that they will address the case in court and that he is "confident" it will be ruled in their favor, noting that whatever actions he takes are consulted with his legal team.

Ligas previously filed a complaint with the Ombudsman in September 2024 against the Congresswoman Ouano-Dizon and her husband, Opao Barangay Captain Nixon “Jojo” Dizon.

He accused the couple of plunder, violations of the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act, and falsification of public documents and their Statements of Assets, Liabilities, and Net Worth.(MyTVCebu)