Courtesy: Philippine Red Cross
A PRIVATE lawyer has filed administrative and criminal complaints before the Visayas Ombudsman against seven mayors and a congressman in Cebu province who traveled outside the country amid the arrival of Typhoon Tino.
Atty. Julito Añora Jr. lodged the complaints against Congressman Vincent Franco “Duke” Frasco, Representative of Cebu’s 5th District; Mayor Aljew Fernando Frasco of the Municipality of Liloan; Mayor Avis Ginoo-Monleon of the Municipality of Catmon; Mayor Alfredo Arquillano Jr. of the Municipality of San Francisco; Mayor Greman Solante of the Municipality of Tudela; Mayor Edgar Rama of the Municipality of Poro, Mayor Manuel Santiago of the Municipality of Pilar, and Mayor Felijur Quiño of the Municipality of Compostela.
Añora alleged that the officials violated Republic Act 10121, or the Philippine Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Act, the Local Government Code, the Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards, the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act, and some provisions in the constitution.
“The casualties speak for itself… These numbers speak about the inefficiency of our local chief executives,” said Añora.
Records from the Department of the Interior and Local Government showed that the respondents filed for a travel authority to go to London from November 1 onwards. Añora attached the documents as part of the pieces of evidence for the complaints he filed.
“They shouldn’t have left. The advisory of PAGASA was October 27… they could have at least canceled their trip,” said Añora.
It was only Borbon Mayor Nico Dotillos who canceled his authority to travel. The town did not log any casualties despite the landfall of Typhoon Tino in the area.
Añora seeks the following from the Ombudsman as stated in his complaint: a full administrative and criminal investigation; to place respondents under preventive suspension; and to find them liable for gross neglect of duty, grave misconduct, dereliction of duty, among others.
