THE Office of the Ombudsman ordered the dismissal of an incumbent Lanao del Sur Mayor after she was found guilty of grave misconduct for disregarding the established rules on payment of salaries and leave approval.
Based on the press release posted in the Ombudsman website, Mayor Edna Ogka-Benito of Balabagan town was not only dismissed but also meted the accessory penalties of cancellation of eligibility, perpetual disqualification from holding public office and forfeiture of retirement benefits.
In an 11-page decision, the Ombudsman directed the Regional Secretary of the Department of Interior and Local Government for Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao, to implement the order which is immediately executory not withstanding any motion for reconsideration or appeal.
The Ombudsman investigators found Benito unjustifiably failed to act on the leave application and payment of back salaries of an employee in 2014.
As a result, Benito is also facing criminal charges for violation of Section 3 of the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act or Republic Act (RA) 3019.
Under Section 3 of RA 3019, it shall be unlawful for any public officer to neglect or refuse to act without sufficient justification for a reasonable time after due demand or request has been made on him for the purpose of obtaining, directly or indirectly, from any person interested in the matter some pecuniary or material benefit or advantage in favor of an interested party, or discriminating against another. (KVC)