Zarraga: The Office of the Ombudsman has ordered the dismissal from service of the mayor and incumbent vice mayor of the municipality of Zarraga in Iloilo for grave misconduct. In a 22-page decision dated September 12, Mayor Ma. Jofel Soldevilla and Vice Mayor Michael Omar Lacson were dismissed from their positions.
According to Philippines News Agency, the dismissal of Soldevilla and Lacson also includes accessory penalties such as cancellation of eligibility, forfeiture of retirement benefits, perpetual disqualification from holding public office, and a bar from taking civil service examinations. Meanwhile, seven others, including Councilor Jose Jeffren Millan and Rolando Papa, ex officio members Nelida Octaviano and Mark Andrian Sulolayon, accountant Era Lerdon, budget officer Glezil Loza±es, and treasurer Leonora Pauya, were found administratively liable for simple misconduct. They were each meted with six months suspension without pay, except for Papa, who is no longer a councilor and was ordered to pay a fine equivalent to six months of a councilor's basic salary.
The case originated from the 2023 purchase of the town's Local Shelter Plan without the authority of the municipal council. A complaint filed by Andre Bon Sumagaysay stated that Lacson, who was then still a councilor, along with Millan, Octaviano, and Sulolayon, approved a resolution authorizing Soldevilla to enter into a contract to sell on March 22, 2023. Those who voted to approve the resolution allegedly did not muster the 'qualified majority' of the Sanggunian, as the other members, including the complainant, were on official business.
The subject parcel of land, with a contract price of PHP11.6 million, was registered in the name of Orlando Lacson, the late father of councilor Lacson. An initial payment of PHP5 million was paid to councilor Lacson, being the sole heir of the registered owner, upon the execution of the contract to sell on July 13, 2023.
The Ombudsman ruled that there was substantial evidence to hold respondents liable for misconduct. It stated that Soldevilla and Lacson entered into a contract to sell without authority. What was issued was a "general authorization" because there was no property identified, and the resolution did not contain specifics of the contract. Additionally, Soldevilla "created an unauthorized indebtedness for the LGU" since the amount paid was only PHP5 million, leaving a balance of over PHP6.6 million. The amount was also paid to Lacson, who "did not have the right to dispose of the property" since the lot was not yet transferred to his name.
"The facts of the case and the evidence on record have indubitably established that respondents Soldevilla and Lacson, municipal mayor and SB member, respectively, conspired with each other and unlawfully used their official positions to advance their personal interest," the ruling stated.
