Ombudsman Suspends Bacolod Mayor for Delay in Implementing Decision

The Office of the Ombudsman has ordered the suspension of Bacolod City Mayor Monico Puentevella for delaying the implementation of an administrative decision involving two city building officials. In its Decision, the Ombudsman found Puentevella guilty of Simple Misconduct and was ordered suspended for one month and one day.

In July 2014, the Ombudsman issued a Decision ordering the suspension of Building Official Isidro Sun, Jr. and Building Inspector Jose Maria Makilan after finding them guilty of Conduct Prejudicial to the Best Interest of the Service. On 09 December 2015, Puentevella received a directive from the Ombudsman to implement the suspension order. In reply, Puentevella issued a letter insisting that “in the spirit of Christmas, the effectivity of the Order is set on January 1, 2015.”

The Decision explained that “the Ombudsman Act of 1989 [Republic Act No. 6770] plainly states that decisions of the Office of the Ombudsman are immediately effective and executory” and that “there is nothing vague or ambiguous with this wording.” The Ombudsman emphasized that “neither R.A. No. 6770 nor the issuances of the [Ombudsman] authorize a head of office or agency to schedule a different date for the effectivity of the Decision.”