After dismissing the police officers involved in the anomalous rubber boat deal last month, the Office of the Ombudsman is again showing everyone that nobody is above the law after it dismissed three Mindanao mayors and told them that they are no longer allowed to hold public office.
Dismissed from service were Cagayan de Oro (CDO) City Mayor Oscar Moreno, Matanao, Davao del Sur Mayor Vicente Fernandez, and Ditsa-an Ramain, Lanao del Sur Mayor Mamintal Adiong.
The three mayors and 27 other officials were dismissed for committing grave misconduct, serious dishonesty, gross neglect of duty, and conduct prejudicial to the best interest of the service.
Ombudsman Conchita Carpio-Morales said Moreno's dismissal from service stems from his government's entry into a settlement agreement with Ajinomoto Philippines which allowed the latter to pay PhP 300,000 instead of its original local business tax deficiency of PhP 2.9 million.
Morales said the agreement was made without prior authorization from the Sangguniang Panlungsod, in violation of Republic Act 7160 (The Local Government Code).
Dismissed together with Moreno was Glenn Bañez, officer-in-charge of the Treasurer's Office.
Fernandez, meanwhile, was found to be discharging his functions as mayor even while in detention and facing charges for the killing of a journalist.
Adiong was found guilty of grave abuse of authority, grave misconduct and oppression for ordering the burning of a truck owned by JERA General Construction which was hired by the Lanao del Sur Electric Cooperative, Inc. (LASURECO) to install concrete electric posts and distribution lines in the municipality.
Dismissed from service were Cagayan de Oro (CDO) City Mayor Oscar Moreno, Matanao, Davao del Sur Mayor Vicente Fernandez, and Ditsa-an Ramain, Lanao del Sur Mayor Mamintal Adiong.
The three mayors and 27 other officials were dismissed for committing grave misconduct, serious dishonesty, gross neglect of duty, and conduct prejudicial to the best interest of the service.
Ombudsman Conchita Carpio-Morales said Moreno's dismissal from service stems from his government's entry into a settlement agreement with Ajinomoto Philippines which allowed the latter to pay PhP 300,000 instead of its original local business tax deficiency of PhP 2.9 million.
Morales said the agreement was made without prior authorization from the Sangguniang Panlungsod, in violation of Republic Act 7160 (The Local Government Code).
Dismissed together with Moreno was Glenn Bañez, officer-in-charge of the Treasurer's Office.
Fernandez, meanwhile, was found to be discharging his functions as mayor even while in detention and facing charges for the killing of a journalist.
Adiong was found guilty of grave abuse of authority, grave misconduct and oppression for ordering the burning of a truck owned by JERA General Construction which was hired by the Lanao del Sur Electric Cooperative, Inc. (LASURECO) to install concrete electric posts and distribution lines in the municipality.