THE Office of the Ombudsman suspended for six months 21 officials and politicians in Porac, Pampanga, including a reelectionist mayor for alleged gross neglect of duty.
In an 11-page order approved on Oct.7, 2024, Ombudsman Samuel Martires suspended the late Councilor Regin Clarete along with 20 others, including reelectionist Mayor Jing Capil and mayoral aspirant Michael Tapang.
Also suspended were former vice mayor Charlie Santos; incumbent Vice Mayor Francis Laurence Tamayo; former councilors Edwin Abuque, Michelle Bengco, Princess Buan, Rito Buan, Jin Mikhaela Canlas, Roman Paul David, Maynard Lapid, Remberto Lapid; incumbent Councilors Rohner Buan, Rafael Canlapan, Adrian Carreon, Essel Joy David, Hilario Dimalanta, Michelle Santos and John Nuevy Venzon. Emerald Vital, licensing assistant and former OIC-Business Permit and Licensing Office was also suspended.
The complaint was filed by Undersecretary Juan Victor Llamas of the Department of the Interior and Local Government against the 21 respondents.
The case stemmed from the operations of Lucky South 99, a Philippine offshore gaming operator (POGO), in Porac town.
"Complainant further alleges that Mayor Capil's neglect of duty is very clear when he signed/issued, through Vital's recommendation, a business permit to Lucky South 99 until 31 December 2023 despite the impending expiration of its PAGCOR license on 27 October 2023. In connection with this, he also failed to appropriately act upon the revocation of Lucky South 99's business permit when its PAGCOR license ultimately expired," the Ombudsman said in its ruling.
"Mayor Capil also failed to act appropriately on the reports of criminal activities happening inside Lucky South 99's premises. Notably, several validation requests and letters from the PNP concerning illegal activities such as serious illegal detention, cyber-related criminal activities, prostitution, were left unacted upon by Mayor Capil," it added.
It said that the 21 will be suspended "during the pendency of this case until its termination, but not to exceed the total period of six (6) months, without pay."
Regin Clarete, who died in May 2023, was succeeded by his older sister Myla Clarete in the Porac Council last September 2023.
For unknown reasons, Councilor Myla Clarete was not suspended but was in fact appointed acting Porac mayor.
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