The Office of the Ombudsman in the Visayas has directed Bacolod Mayor Evelio Leonardia to implement its March 7, 2007 order to dismiss six employees of the city government.

The case was filed by the Commission on Audit Regional Office VI against Management and Audit Service Office officer-in-charge Ricardo Dahildahil Jr., Crafts and Trade helper Salvacion Ortega, Accountant IV Eduardo Ravena, Office of the City Treasurer Clerk II Lalaine Villalva, former Executive Assistant Renato Rojo (Valdez administration) and the late City Accountant Pioquito Quinones.

In her letter to Leonardia dated June 11, 2012, acting director Carla Juris Narvios-Tanco, said the implementation of decisions, orders or resolutions issued by the Ombudsman in disciplinary cases are immediately executory.

Narvios-Tanco also cited Section 26, par (4) of R.A. 6770 or the Ombudsman Act of 1989 that provides that "any delay or refusal to comply with the referral or directive of the Ombudsman or any of his Deputies, will constitute a ground for administrative disciplinary action against the officer or employee to whom it was addressed."

Her letter was in response to the April 26, 2012 letter of City Legal Officer Joselito Bayatan informing the Ombudsman that Ravena has filed his motion for reconsideration on the decision, while his co-respondents, Ortega, Villalva and Daholdahil have also filed their joint motion for reconsideration on May 2, 2011.

Bayatan said the motions for reconsiderations are yet pending resolution, and may be availed by the respondents considering that their penalty constitutes grave offense. But should their motion for reconsideration be denied, then the city will impose the dismissal order despite their appeal with the Court of Appeals, he said.

The administrative disciplinary cases against the six city employees stemmed fromalleged tampering of receipts during the incumbency of former Mayor Luzviminda Valdez.

Asked for his comment, Bayatan said they have not officially received a copy of the letter as of yesterday. However, they will abide by the Order of the Ombudsman once they received the letter, he said.*CGS

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