LINGAYEN–The Sangguniang Panlalawigan (SP) has cleared Binmaley Mayor Simplicio Rosario of the administrative charges for alleged grave abuse of authority, dishonesty, and grave misconduct.

In a report last March 3 submitted by the committee on good government and accountability of public officers chaired by 6th District Member Alfonso Bince Jr., it was recommended that the case be dismissed for lack of factual and legal basis.

All the 13 board members, except BM Nestor Reyes who inhibited from participating in the case, signed the report.

Bince said following the unfortunate and sudden demise last February 24 of Atty. Armenio Escat Jr. whose appointment as municipal administrator of Binmaley was the crux of the complaint, the committee decided to terminate the presentation of further testimonial evidence.

He added that the evidence on record is sufficient for the committee to submit its findings and recommendation.

Rosario, meanwhile, said he is happy that the provincial board saw the truth behind the complaint.

“I hope people who are blinded by their ill motives against me would stop now and allow me instead to work for our town and our people. They tried but failed to distract me because I have always believed that truth will prevail in the end,” Rosario said.

However, there is another pending case before the board against Rosario.

“The SP has already dismissed the first case… but there is another case which we are reviewing, which may be another dismissal or case suspension,” Bince said.

The pending case is for alleged violation of Civil Service Commission rules Rosario allegedly appointed officers-in-charge and transferred permanent employees.

ESCAT CASE

The dismissed case was filed by a certain Leon Castro who argued that Escat could not be appointed as a municipal administrator because he is a green card holder and related by consanguinity to Rosario.

The committee, however, ruled that “Escat is originally a resident of Binmaley…while he is qualified to be a permanent resident of the USA, he remains a resident of the Philippines.”

The committee also declared that “prohibition against nepotism affects only career positions… where the appointee may not be removed except for cause and after due process, notice and hearing.”

The position of municipal administrator is not a career position but a co-terminus office with the elected mayor.

The Sangguniang Bayan of Binmaley earlier confirmed Escat’s appointment as municipal administrator.

Escat, 43, died of stroke and was laid to rest on March 6.—Tita Roces and Johanne R. Macob

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