The Office of the Ombudsman has dismissed various charges filed against Iloilo City Mayor Jerry P. Treñas.
The mayor faced three separate complaints filed by former City Civil Registrar Romeo Caesar Manikan Jr. and former City Health Officer Bernard Caspe.
“I am elated that the Ombudsman cases filed by Dr. Caspe and Mr. Manikan have been dismissed. In public service, we face a lot of challenges but I always believe that the truth will prevail in the end,” Treñas said after receiving copies of the Ombudsman decisions on June 13.
Manikan filed a criminal complaint for usurpation of authority or official functions, and administrative complaint for grave misconduct and grave abuse of authority against Treñas and Assistant Department Head Cherrie Ampig on Sept. 16, 2019.
This stemmed from the case of an employee in the City Civil Registry Office (CCRO) who was detailed to the Calajunan Engineered Sanitary Landfill facility.
The anti-graft office found no substantial evidence for grave misconduct and abuse of authority or oppression, and subsequently dismissed both charges against the two respondents.
Another complaint was filed by Manikan on Nov. 13, 2019 against Treñas and City Legal Officer Edgardo Gil for graft and misconduct charges when he was removed as department head of CCRO following also a misconduct case against him.
The Ombusdman ruled that there was a lack of probable cause on the criminal charge, while there was a lack of substantial evidence on the administrative complaint.
In another decision, the anti-graft office cleared Treñas and Khrystyl Marie Lampa of the misconduct charges filed by Dr. Caspe on Sept. 4, 2020 for lack of substantial evidence.
The former CHO head was removed from office for alleged commission of gross immorality and abuse of authority.Iloilo City PIO
