The Office of the Ombudsman has ordered the dismissal from the service of Reynaldo San Pedro, mayor of San Jose Del Monte City for Grave Abuse of Authority and Grave Misconduct. The dismissal order was issued in connection with the illegal re-assignment and re-designation of city engineer Rufino Gravador, Jr. Aside from dismissal, San Pedro was also perpetually barred from holding public office with forfeiture of retirement benefits and cancellation of eligibility.
The Ombudsman found that in July 2013, San Pedro issued an office order re-assigning Gravador as city agriculturist. The appeal to the Civil Service Commission (CSC) was granted and San Pedro was directed to allow Gravador to report back to his former post as city engineer. Despite the CSC ruling, San Pedro issued another office order designating Arnel Vitug as city building official and transferred 27 engineers and support staff under its supervision.
In its Decision, the Ombudsman ruled that “the questioned issuances were all geared toward respondent’s goal to torment and demoralize complainant” as “in the guise of complying with the CSC decision, he issued the illegal orders to be able to circumvent the directive reinstating complainant.” ###