The Office of the Ombudsman has ordered the dismissal from the service of Mayor Necitas Cubrado of Pilar, Bohol after she was found guilty of Grave Misconduct. The penalty of dismissal from the service carries the accessory penalties of perpetual disqualification from holding public office, cancellation of eligibility, and forfeiture of retirement benefits.
Case records showed that on 27 August 2015, Cubrado authorized the issuance of a certificate granting exemptions to several residents of the municipality from paying fees for the electrical connection of their homes.
“Being the Chief Executive of the Municipality, respondent evidently overstepped the scope of her authority and encroached upon the powers and prerogatives of the Sanguniang Bayan when she granted exemptions to some residents, without, however, securing the prior approval of the SB thereby deliberately disregarding the provisions of the [Local Government Code],” stated the Resolution.
As a result of this illegal issuance, the Ombudsman also ordered the filing against Cubrado of one count of violation of Usurpation of Legislative Powers (Article 239 of the Revised Penal Code) before the Sandiganbayan.
The Ombudsman directed the Department of the Interior and Local Government and the Office of the Governor of Bohol to implement the dismissal order. ###