A motion for reconsideration and petition for certiorari will be filed by the camp of Victorias City Mayor Severo Palanca and Permits and Licenses Division head Ramsy Panes, the mayor’s legal counsel, Lorendo Dilag, said yesterday.

Dilag said only Secretary Mar Roxas of the Department of Interior and Local Government has the authority to implement the six-months and one day suspension without pay of Palanca and Panes.

He added that the DILG can only render its decision after Palanca and Panes have filed motions for reconsideration against the decision of the Ombudsman founding probable cause in the complaint for simple dishonesty filed against them.

Dilag said he believes that the filing of the charges against Palanca, who just arrived from Manila from a travel leave, is politically motivated since the complainant, James Francis Anthony Garcia, who is Palanca’s nephew, is running for councilor under the opposition.

However, Garcia told the DALY STAR Tuesday that he filed the complaint just to correct things.

Ombudsman Conchita Morales-Carpio ordered the suspension of Palanca and Panes on the recommendation of Deputy Ombudsman for the Visayas, Pelagio Apostol, on November 21 after finding them guilty of dishonesty for issuing permits to a jai alai gaming station.

The Ombudsman said, the evidence substantially shows that respondents, Palanca and Panes, are guilty of dishonesty in issuing a business permit showing that Corona was the operator/owner of Dalisay Amusement Games and Recreation Station and that Corona had authority/license to engage in a jai alai betting station, when such determinations are not supported by the documents supporting his application for a business permit.

Another respondent, former Victorias City Sports Office head Gaudencio Corona, who was the applicant for the permit, was exonerated by the Ombudsman for lack of evidence.*APN

back to top