Ex-Samar mayor faces graft for ignoring employee’s grievance  

The Office of the Ombudsman on Friday filed a graft case against former San Sebastian, Samar mayor Arnold Abalos over his alleged failure to act on an employee’s complaint regarding his demotion.

In a case filed with the Sandiganbayan, the Ombudsman through its Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) said Abalos violated Section 3 (f) or Republic Act 3019 or the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act by allegedly sitting for more than a year or from April 2012 to June 2013 on the protest/grievance as well as the motion for reconsideration filed by a certain municipal employee Robert Rebosura.

According to the information on the case, the protest and the motion for reconsideration filed by Rebosura were in connection with his replacement by Abalos of another employee as Municipal Planning and Development Coordinator.

The OSP said Abalos also failed to act on Rebosura’s motion for reconsideration on the denial of his application for leave.

“The failure or neglect to so act was for the purpose of discriminating Rebosura, to his prejudice and to the detriment of public service,” the charge sheet read.  

The OSP recommended P30,000 bail bond in exchange for the accused provisional liberty.

Section 3 (f) of RA 3019 refers to the public official’s neglect or refusal, after due demand or request, to act within reasonable time on any matter pending before him for the purpose of either gaining any benefit or interest, giving undue advantage in favor of or discriminating against any other interested party.

Last January, the Ombudsman also filed 40 counts of violation of Section 52 (g) of Republic Act 8291 or the GSIS Act of 1997 against Abalos and two former officials of the municipal government of San Sebastian. 

The cases stemmed from Abalos and his co-accused’s alleged failure to remit to GSIS the premium contributions of the employees for five years or from 2008 to 2012 totaling P6.8 million.

Abalos is seeking re-election as San Sebastian mayor in the May elections under the Liberal Party ticket. — APG, GMA News