Ombudsman orders reinstatement of 2 brgy kagawads - Achas

Councilor Ian Achas informed the legislative body, during their 49th regular session of the 20th City Council presided over by City Vice Mayor Bebot Rodriguez, regarding the order of the Office of the Ombudsman for the immediate reinstatement of two barangay kagawads of Barangay Puntod.

In his special report, Councilor Achas presented the background of the case, saying that the Office of the Ombudsman ordered the removal of the said kagawads (respondents) in January 2019; however, the respondents filed a motion for reconsideration.

“In December 2020, the dismissal order was reversed and set aside by the Ombudsman and the complaint against the respondents was dismissed”, said Councilor Achas, adding that Punong Barangay Rexie Tinampay, however, refused to recognize the said barangay kagawads.

Achas said the Ombudsman issued an order on July 4, 2023, stating that, “the refusal or failure by any officer to observe and implement the decision and orders the Ombudsman shall be ground for disciplinary action. This is an attribute of the constitutional mandate of the Ombudsman keenly observed in law and jurisprudence.”

Vice Mayor Rodriguez referred the matter to the Committee on Barangay Affairs and the City Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) for appropriate action.