POZORRUBIO—The town mayor is back after serving nine months suspension ordered by the Ombudsman for signing the marriage certificates of two couples but did not officiate their wedding rites.

Speaking at the Monday flag raising ceremony, Mayor Artemio Chan, who re-assumed his post on May 28, told municipal employees, town council members, barangay leaders, police and other stakeholders, that “God is so good so I am thankful to God because my problem is over and I hope nothing else will follow”.

He thanked his family for standing by him amid the trials he faced “and those who prayed for me, including those who prayed that I would not return anymore”, which elicited applause from the crowd.

He said he was leaving his fate to God.

Chan was twice charged at the Ombudsman for signing marriage certificates of two couples in different weddings in absentia.

The Ombudsman reduced the penalty of Chan from dismissal from service to six-month suspension only for the first case titled “Ly-Ar Punzalan, et. al. vs. Artemio Que Chan, et. al.”

Chan was also meted three months suspension without pay for another case of similar nature involving different couple in a case titled “Andy S. Dela Rosa, et. al. vs. Artemio Que Chan, et. al.”

He maintained his legal woes are politically motivated.

He said while serving his suspension, he learned a lesson not to be trusting to anyone. “Don’t be careless, overconfident,” Chan said when asked about lessons he learned.

He said henceforth, he would officiate weddings only once a week.

Vice Mayor Ernesto Go, who took over the post during Chan’s suspension, was present at the flag raising ceremony.

Go said he had nothing to do with the charges Chan is facing. “But as far as I know, his (Chan’s) legal battle is not yet over,” he said, adding that Chan’s appeal is still pending.

“I am not part of the problem. As vice mayor, I only abide by what the law says. So if the mayor is suspended, I take over,” he said. “I wondered why reports circulated that I refused to step down,” he added.

Chan was charged criminally at the Regional Trial Court Branch 215 in Quezon City for similar offense.

He posted bail of ₱30,000 on May 25 thus his warrant of arrest dated April 16, 2018 was recalled and set aside.

Chan’s co-respondent, Daniel Sarmiento Jr., a casual employee of the municipal government, who was the one who officiated the weddings, 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”.

He also posted bail of ₱30,000 for his criminal offense.

Chan said he will face the charges against him even as he vowed to continue working for the people.

Meanwhile, Go said it was a challenge for him to do his best during the nine months that he served as mayor. (Eva Visperas)

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