Village chief dismissed for nepotism
The Office of the Ombudsman Visayas has ordered the dismissal of the village chief of Brgy. Nabitasan in La Paz district, Iloilo City for practicing nepotism.
Punong barangay Noriel Arsulo was advised by the Ombudsman to terminate his function after he was found guilty for appointing his stepdaughter Barbara Joy Ignis Aroza, as village secretary.
Arsulo is set to file a motion for reconsideration on the Ombudsman decision next week.
The case was filed in November 2007 by members of the Nabitasan barangay council.
The decision was penned by Ombudsman Graft Investigation and Prosecution Officer I Giovanni Tianero and approved by Deputy Ombudsman Visayas Pelagio Apostol.
The Ombudsman stated that Arsulo violated the provisions of Republic Act 3019 or the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act.
The decision stated that the practice is a clear violation of Section 394 of the Local Government Code which provides that, “No person shall be appointed barangay secretary if he is a sangguniang barangay member, a government employee or a relative of the punong barangay within the fourth civil degree of consanguinity or affinity.”
Immediately, Mayor Jed Patrick Mabilog implemented the decision-order.
Mabilog said the incident must serve as a moral lesson and warning to all village officials to avoid appointing their close relatives.
THE CASE
The administrative case was filed before the Ombudsman by barangay kagawads Norberto Teves Jr., Melchor Tipawan, Matias Tampani, Jimmy Tipawan and Luisa Espinosa against Arsulo after his unlawful appointment of Aroza.
The barangay kagawads claimed that Aroza is not qualified to be appointed to the position of barangay secretary and as secretary of the Bids and Awards Committee for being a stepdaughter of Arsulo.
