Ombudsman Suspends Ex-city Mayor for 90 Days

The Office of the Ombudsman has ordered the suspension of Talisay City Councilor Socrates Fernandez, a former mayor, for 90 days for violations he committed during his term as city mayor.

Lawyer Aliza Fiel Nogra, Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) 7 legal division chief, said the three-month suspension is Fernandez’s penalty after he was found guilty by the Office of the Ombudsman-Visayas for simple neglect of duty.

Fernandez, an ally of the Alayon Party, was Talisay City mayor from 2004 to 2013.

Fernandez said he plans to appeal his conviction.

Fernandez’s case stemmed from a complaint filed by the Public Assistance and Corruption Prevention Office (Pacpo) based on newspaper reports on the use of Fernandez’s government-issued vehicle by Benedict Gabasa.

Gabasa, who was assigned as a job order worker for Fernandez, was a known companion of Joavan Fernandez, the mayor’s son who figured in several controversies.

Five years ago, policemen from the Pardo Police Station in Cebu City arrested Gabasa while he driving the mayor’s vehicle after they received a tip that he had a run-in with a foreigner.

The police found illegal drug paraphernalia inside the vehicle.

Nogra said they received the copy of Fernandez’s suspension order from the Office of the Ombudsman-Visayas earlier this week.

She said they plan to serve the order on Monday.

Fernandez recently served a three-month preventive suspension for the same offense last February. (PNA) LAP/EB/RSM