Ombudsman junks complaint vs Cebu City mayor

The Office of the Ombudsman has dismissed the complaint filed against Cebu City Mayor Tomas Osmeña in connection with the appointment of two acting mayors when he went on leave for a trip abroad with his family.

In an 11-page resolution received by the city legal office last Monday, graft investigation and prosecution officer II Terrence Anton Callao said the complaint failed to specify the undue advantage given to any person or damage that the city government suffered when Osmeña issued a memorandum designating two acting mayors.

Deputy Ombudsman for the Visayas Paul Elmer Clemente approved the resolution.

In filing the complaint, former city hall employee Aniceto Canturias said the appointment of Vice Mayor Edgardo Labella and acting city administrator Veronica Morelos as acting mayors when Osmeña went to Japan from July 23 to 27, 2016 was “irregular.”

Canturias said Osmeña and Morelos should be charged with violation of Section 3(a) and (e) of Republic Act 3019 or the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act, the Code of Conduct and Ethical Stan- dards for Public Officials and Employees and An Act Penalizing Usurpation of Public Authority.

Osmeña said the there was no disruption of operations at the city hall because Morelos was tasked to work closely with Labella while the latter was given the sole authority to sign vouchers and other documents.