Ombudsman ousts Ecija town mayor

By Manny Galvez 

PANTABANGAN, Nueva Ecija – The Office of the Ombudsman has ousted this town’s Mayor Lucio Uera for suspending and terminating 40 permanent employees of the municipal hall here nine years ago.

In an order dated Oct. 20 but released only yesterday, Ombudsman Conchita Carpio-Morales approved the recommendation of graft investigator Joan Lou Gamboa to deny Uera’s appeal of a ruling that found him guilty of two counts of grave misconduct, grave abuse of authority and oppression.

The case against Uera stemmed from a complaint filed by Antonio Capia and 43 other employees in March 2005 accusing the mayor of unjustly suspending and terminating their services.

A separate criminal case for violation of Republic Act 3019 or the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act and Republic Act 6713 or the Code of Ethical Conduct for Government Officials and Employees for the same complaint has been resolved by the ombudsman in favor of the employees.

Morales approved a resolution last Oct. 3 denying Uera’s motion for reconsideration, and recommended the filing of a case against him before the Sandiganbayan.

In their complaint, the employees said that on Jan. 3, 2005, they were prohibited from entering the municipal hall by Uera’s “goons.” They claimed their daily time records and personal belongings were confiscated.

Because they could not report to the municipal hall, the employees said they went to the Sangguniang Bayan building where Uera’s rival, Romeo Borja Sr., who was proclaimed winner in an electoral protest in connection with the 2004 polls, was holding office.

Three weeks later, the complainants said Uera – who was reinstated by the Commission on Elections – ordered them to explain why they should not be charged for their unauthorized absences.

A month later, the mayor ordered them suspended, allegedly without the conduct of an investigation.

The employees said they have been reporting for work regularly, but could not enter their offices as Uera had them padlocked.

Uera denied the complainants’ allegations, saying he was merely exercising his duty.