BACOLOD City – The 15 dismissed government workers in Talisay City, Negros Occidental want Mayor Nilo Jesus Antonio Neil Lizares III to be placed under immediate preventive suspension.
Atty. Rey Gorgonio, the counsel of the dismissed workers who are dubbed as the “Sacked 15,” said they filed a motion before the Office of the Ombudsman praying for such on April 18.
A copy of the motion was presented to members of the media on Tuesday.
The Ombudsman is still investigating Lizares in relation to criminal and administrative complaints filed against him by the same parties.
The Sacked 15 were removed from service in August 2016, a few weeks after Lizares assumed as mayor.
If Gorgonio was to be believed, Lizares admitted that he did not give the Sacked 15 an “opportunity to explain their side” before they were terminated.
Gorgonio added that Lizares dismissed the complainants without a valid cause so that he can appoint his allies at city hall.
Lizares is criminally liable for violation of Republic Act 3019, or the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act, and administratively liable for grave misconduct, Gorgonio said.
These offenses warrant removal from office, the lawyer added.
Gorgonio said there is an urgent need to put Lizares under preventive suspension to “protect” the complainants and possible witnesses.
This will also safeguard the “integrity” of public documents at city hall, Gorgonio added.
Meanwhile, Maria Corazon Robles, Sack 15 designated leader, said Lizares’ claim that they are “midnight appointees” of former Talisay City mayor Eric Saratan is “laughable.”
Panay News was still reaching Lizares for comment as of press time./PN
