Ombudsman suspends 26 Mandaue employees for nine months

Local

THE Office of the Ombudsman has ordered the suspension of multiple officials and employees from the Mandaue City government after finding them administratively liable for conduct prejudicial to the best interest of the service.

In a decision dated December 9, the Ombudsman ruled that 26 individuals must serve a nine-month suspension without pay.

Maria Priscilla "Happy" Melendres and Maritoni Melendres filed the complaint against officers from the Housing and Urban Development Office, the Janitorial and Security Services Unit, and the City Assessor’s Office.

The Ombudsman dismissed the charges of oppression, grave misconduct, violation of the 1987 Constitution, and violation of Republic Act No. 6713 or the Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officers and Employees due to lack of substantial evidence.

However, the Ombudsman still imposed the administrative penalty of suspension.

"Wherefore, the office finds respondents... Administratively liable for conduct prejudicial to the best interest of the service. They are hereby meted the penalty of suspension of nine months from service, without pay," the decision states.

If an official has already resigned, retired, or separated from service, the Ombudsman will convert the penalty into a fine equivalent to six months' salary, which may be deducted from their retirement benefits or other receivables.

The Ombudsman directed sitting Mandaue City Mayor Glenn Bercede to immediately implement the suspension order and submit a compliance report to the Ombudsman’s Visayas office within five days.

The decision also stated that a motion for reconsideration or an appeal will not delay enforcement, citing Supreme Court rulings.

"A decision of the Office of the Ombudsman in administrative cases shall be executed as a matter of course," the order noted, referencing Section 7, Rule III of the Ombudsman’s Rules of Procedure.

The Ombudsman warned that officials who fail or refuse to comply with the order without just cause could face disciplinary action.

The suspended employees must report back to work on the first working day after serving their full nine-month suspension.(MyTVCebu)