FOR DISHONESTY

POZORRUBIO—The Ombudsman has dismissed from office Mayor Artemio Chan here for signing a marriage certificate of a couple even if he didn’t solemnize it himself.

In a nine-page decision approved by Ombudsman Conchita Carpio Morales, Chan was found “administratively liable for grave misconduct and serious dishonesty and is meted the penalty of dismissal from service, including perpetual disqualification from holding public office, cancellation of civil service eligibility, forfeiture of retirement benefits and bar from taking civil service examination.”

Chan’s co-respondent, Daniel Sarmiento Jr., the casual employee of the municipal government, who officiated the wedding of complainants, Ly-Ar Punzalan and Cherilyn Buyao, was also found “administratively liable for conduct prejudicial to the best interest of the service and is meted the penalty nine-month suspension without pay from service.”

The complainants alleged that on March 14, 2016, they were scheduled to be married in civil rites at the municipal hall. Before the ceremony started, Sarmiento asked the witnesses to sign the Certificate of Marriage and announced that he was authorized by Chan to officiate the marriage in his behalf.

Sarmiento assured them that he had previously officiated several marriages.

When the couple received a copy of the Certificate of Marriage, they saw Chan’s signature as the “administering officer”.

In their complaint, they also submitted photographs and video clips showing their marriage rites were officiated by Sarmiento.

The Ombudsman said, “Verily, respondent Chan’s actuation constitutes dishonesty as he displayed a disposition to tell a lie and moral depravity. His act also tainted the integrity and image of his office for making it appear that he performed his functions when in fact he did not, clearly an abuse of authority.”

Sought for his comments, last Tuesday, Chan said his lawyer would file a motion for reconsideration (MR) the final day given him five days after he received copy of the decision last August 16.

The reported turn-over of office on Aug. 22 to Vice Mayor Ernesto Go from Chan, however, did not push through because of the filed MR at the same time, there was no official notice from the Department of Interior and Local Government asking him to vacate his post.

“If an order arrives, I would abide by it,” Chan said. The Ombudsman directed the DILG to implement it immediately upon receipt of it.

Chan has been mayor for three successive terms and was succeeded by his wife for one term and he regained his post and is now again on his third successive term.

He said he was expecting a suspension and described his dismissal as “too harsh a penalty”. What consoles him, however, was his case is not about graft and corruption. (Eva Visperas)

Share your Comments or Reactions

comments

Powered by Facebook Comments