Ousted Tuguegarao mayor reinstated

By Raymund Catindig

TUGUEGARAO CITY – The mayor of this city, who was ousted by the Office of the Ombudsman eight months ago, reclaimed his post Wednesday.

Mayor Jefferson Soriano, a former police general, was reinstated by the Court of Appeals.

The decision, penned by Associate Justice Nina Antonio-Valenzuela, said Soriano was only guilty of simple misconduct.

The CA modified the penalty to three months suspension.

The ombudsman ousted Soriano last year for grave abuse of authority after he authorized the holding of a fair without the city council’s permission.

The charges against the mayor were filed by Councilor Maila Ting, daughter of former mayor Delfin Ting, whom Soriano defeated in the 2013 elections.

Aside from reinstatement, the CA restored Soriano’s unclaimed salaries and benefits.

Vice Mayor Engelbert Caronan replaced Soriano during his ouster.