Comelec exec faces dishonesty raps over teachers’ plaint
An election officer in one Northern Iloilo town faces graft raps following an in-house investigation made by the Commission on Elections (COMELEC) Regional Office 6.
Submitted before the Office of the Ombudsman in the Visayas, named respondent was Election Officer Roy Piamonte of Barotac Viejo, Iloilo.
The News Today (TNT) obtained a copy of the recommendation that called for the filing of formal charges.
As such, Piamonte faces dishonesty, grave misconduct and conduct prejudicial to the best interest of the service.
Piamonte’s legal woes stemmed from the complaint of teachers in Barotac Viejo who served as Board of Election Inspectors in the last elections.
The teachers cum complainants were led by Evelyn Pagunsan, Head Teacher III of the Nueva Invencion Elementary School, District of Barotac Viejo, Iloilo.
Docketed then as Administrative Case No. RO6-08-001, Piamonte, the complainants charged “shortchanged” them in the payment of election day honoraria. It was learned that P100 was deducted from each teacher-payee who served as Barotac Viejo Board of Election Inspector.
The records of the case have since been forwarded to the Commission’s Personnel Department for review.
No less than Deputy Ombudsman Pelagio Apostol was apprised of the recommendation and case update following his recent Iloilo visit.
A similar fate too for the election officer of the Municipality of Laua-an, Province of Antique who will likewise face formal charges.
This, as the COMELEC Regional Office 6 summed up its recommendation of Administrative Case No. RO6-07-001.
The case stemmed from the failure of Election Officer Nena Magno to duly act on a letter-complaint of Laua-an Councilor Abraham Sarmiento.
No specifics however were released on the extent of formal charges that will be lodged against Magno.