BY GLENDA SOLOGASTOA
ILOILO City – Facing two charges in a row, Maasin, Iloilo’s Mayor Mariano Malones cried “political harassment.”
Aside from the administrative complaint filed against him by Human Resource Officer Elsa Maternal for “illegal termination” before the Sangguniang Panlalawigan, Malones (along with two others) is also a respondent in a graft case filed by Maternal’s brother, Winefredo before the Office of the Ombudsman for violation of Section 3 of the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act.
“Hay makapoy…I believe this is all part of political harassment,” said Malones.
The mayor alluded to one political opponent allegedly interested in his position but did not name this person.
While still waiting for the Provincial Board to deliberate on Sept. 16 whether to sustain the decision of the Committee of the Whole suspending him for three months, Malones received on Sept. 12 a resolution of the Office of the Ombudsman indicting him, his lawyer Marites delos Reyes and Maasin municipal treasurer Edna Madarico for violation of Section 3 of the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act.
Malones and Reyes were also “probably guilty” of falsification of public documents, said the Ombudsman.
“It is a criminal case. We have no choice but face it,” said Malones.
Hoping to prevent the case from reaching the Sandiganbayan for trial and decision, Malones said that through his lawyer, he is preparing to file a motion for reconsideration.
Malones also expressed optimism that the Provincial Board’s Committee of the Whole would review and reconsider its decision pronouncing him guilty of simple misconduct for dismissing Maternal.
He insisted that he had failed to implement the resolution of the Civil Service Commission (CSC) to reinstate Maternal only because her position had already been abolished.
“Pamangkuton ta ang Board, kon sila sa lugar ko, ano himuon nila? Wala procedures, wala pa guidelines halin sa Civil Service kon paano ko si Elsa pabalikon kag bayran. Dapat tan-awon nila ang ini nga anggulo. Masakit man sa akon,” said Malones.
Malones said he is willing to wait for and obey the guideline of the CSC on how to reinstate and pay Maternal./PN
