Ombudsman dismisses Camarines Norte gov

DAET, Camarines Norte: The Office of the Deputy Ombudsman for Luzon dismissed from office Gov. Edgardo Tallado and meted him the penalties of cancelation of eligibility, forfeiture of retirement benefits, perpetual disqualification from holding public office and barring him from taking the civil service examination.

A nine-page decision dated January 10, 2018 signed by Raphael Lorenzo Pangalangan, graft investigation prosecution officer 1, said, “Respondent’s immediate reassumption of the functions as governor during the period of his suspension despite the DILG’s [Department of the Interior and Local Government] directive for him to cease and desist from performing such official functions, constitute a clear intent to violate the law and flagrant disregard of established rules. Thus, the respondent is liable for grave misconduct -- a grave offense punishable by dismissal from office.”