ILOILO City – For lack of probable cause and substantial evidence, the Office of the Ombudsman dismissed the charges filed against Mayor Jerry P. Treñas and three other city hall officials.
The mayor faced three separate complaints, two of which were filed by former City Civil Registrar Romeo Caesar Manikan Jr. and one by former City Health Officer Dr. Bernard Caspe.
He welcomed the Ombudsman decision.
“I am very happy. Para sa akon ang mga kaso daw gin-file para mag-harass sa akon but just the same, the Ombudsman found out that these were not substantiated,” said Treñas after receiving copies of the Ombudsman decisions on June 13.
There are a lot of challenges in public service, said Treñas, but he believes that truth prevails in the end.
He vowed to continue working as “father of the city” and doing what is the best for the Ilonggos.
Manikan filed a criminal complaint for usurpation of authority or official functions, and administrative complaint for grave misconduct and grave abuse of authority against Treñas and Assistant Department Head Cherrie Ampig on Sept. 16, 2019. This stemmed from the case of an employee in the City Civil Registry Office (CCRO) who was detailed to the Calajunan Engineered Sanitary Landfill facility.
The anti-graft office found no substantial evidence for grave misconduct and abuse of authority or oppression, and subsequently dismissed both charges filed against Treñas and Ampig.
“All things considered, seeing that there is nothing in the details that would reasonably arouse, respondent Treñas was justified in relying on the recommendation of respondent Ampig. Simply put, respondent Treñas acted in good faith when he approved and signed the detail order. Thus, there is no act of usurpation of authority or official function to speak of,” read part of the Ombudsman joint resolution dated Aug. 2, 2021.
Another complaint was filed by Manikan on Nov. 13, 2019 against Treñas and City Legal Officer Edgardo Gil for graft and misconduct when he was removed as department head of the CCRO following also a misconduct case filed against him.
The Ombudsman ruled that the criminal charge lacked probable cause, while the administrative complaint lacked substantial evidence.
The anti-graft body resolved that there was nothing in the complaint and its supporting documents showing either of the respondents persuaded, induced, or influenced another public officer to perform an act, or they have allowed themselves to be persuaded, induced, or influenced to commit an act which constitutes a violation of rules and regulations or an offense in connection with his official duty.
The Ombudsman said, “It cannot be said that respondent Gil, in issuing September 30, 219 Order, and respondent Treñas in issuing the October 21, 2019 Notice of Charge, were impelled by manifest partiality, evident bad faith or gross inexcusable negligence, and caused undue injury to complainant or any party, or gave anyone else unwarranted benefits.”
Moreover, in another decision, the anti-graft office also cleared Treñas and Khrystyl Marie Lampa of misconduct charges filed by Dr. Caspe on Sept. 4, 2020 for lack of substantial evidence.
The former CHO head was removed from office for alleged gross immorality and abuse of authority.
“Neither was it substantially shown that respondent Lampa conspired with respondent Treñas in instituting the administrative case against complainant. The mere filing of complaint against complainant does not show that respondent Lampa had an agreement with respondent Treñas to achieve the same purpose,” the Ombudsman ruled.
Meanwhile, the city mayor is yet to decide whether to file countercharges against Manikan and Caspe.
“Tan-awaon ta pero ti indi man ako madumot nga tawo. Waay man ako nagatanum sang dumot,” he said./PN
