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BY ADRIAN STEWART CO
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Friday, June 23, 2017
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MANILA – Aside from the penalty of perpetual disqualification from holding public office, the former mayor of San Dionisio, Iloilo, Peter Paul Lopez, faces a charge before the Sandiganbayan for nepotism.
The Office of the Ombudsman yesterday ordered the filing of such complaint against Lopez for appointing a son to a career service position in the municipal government two years ago.
According to Ombudsman Conchita Carpio Morales, nepotism is a violation of Section 79 of Republic Act 7160 (Local Government Code).
The said provision prohibits the appointment of a person to a career service position in the local government if he or she is related within the fourth civil degree of consanguinity or affinity to the appointing or recommending authority.
Lopez appointed his son Carlos Paul as acting licensing officer of the municipality on Jan. 5, 2015. That time, the mayor’s son was also holding a co-terminus position as Lopez’s executive assistant.
“While Carlos was only designated as Acting Licensing Officer, the rule on nepotism admits of no distinction between appointment and designation,” the Ombudsman stressed.
It was the Sangguniang Bayan of San Dionisio that asked the Ombudsman to investigate the then mayor for nepotism on 2015.
The Ombudsman came out with a decision on Sept. 2, 2016 finding Lopez guilty.
“Wherefore, finding Peter Paul King Lopez guilty of nepotism, he is meted the penalty of dismissal from service,” read part of the Ombudsman’s decision.
Not San Dionisio’s mayor anymore, Lopez could no longer be dismissed from the service. But he had other penalties. The Ombudsman ordered the forfeiture of all his benefits and disqualified him from holding public office forever.
The Ombudsman also cancelled Lopez’s civil service eligibilities.
Defending his son’s appointment as acting licensing officer, Lopez argued that this was just an extra assignment as executive assistant in the Office of the Mayor “in the exigency of the service.” He cited the Office of Mayor’s goal to increase tax collections.
Lopez also told the Ombudsman that his son’s appointment was cleared by the Human Resource Management Office of the local government of San Dionisio./PN
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