DILG serves suspension order vs Sta. Fe mayor
The Department of Interior and Local Government served Tuesday the three-month suspension order against Santa Fe Mayor Jose "Titing" Esgana.
DILG-Cebu provincial director Jerome Gonzales yesterday said he was the one who served the suspension order at the mayor's office.
"Tua man siya sa Manila. Iya rang gipadawat sa iyang secretary sa Mayor's office," said Gonzales in a text message to The FREEMAN.
Ombudsman Conchita Carpio Morales approved on August 11 the suspension of Esgana for three months without pay after he was found guilty for the administrative complaint filed against him for violation of the Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards.
The mayor allegedly acted arrogantly towards two boatmen when he boarded LCT Island II on June 4 and June 9, 2015, respectively, at the port of Santa Fe.
Esgana, who could not be reached for comment, has a pending motion for reconsideration filed before the Office of the Ombudsman, but was objected by the complainants who instead asked the anti-graft body to implement the suspension.
The complainants' counsel, Judiel Pareja, said the suspension order can be served pending appeal unless a temporary restraining order is issued by a proper court.
The complainants, Rodolfo Solidor and Carl Martin Absalon, are sea marshals tasked to check the tickets of passengers aboard their vessels, as well as the bill of loading of rolling cargoes.
The two alleged that the mayor acted arrogantly towards them when they were checking the tickets of the passengers.
In his counter-affidavit, Esgana admitted the allegations and his statements were reiterated in the supporting affidavits of his witnesses, Lucresito Labores and Denmar Pacinio.
However, in his motion for reconsideration, Esgana claimed that his counter-affidavit and his witnesses were not truly reflective of what really transpired on both dates and put the blame on his lawyer.