• GILBERT P. BAYORAN
The Office of the Ombudsman has denied the motion for reconsideration filed by Moises Padilla Mayor Ella Celestina Garcia-Yulo and two department heads in the administrative case for grave abuse of authority and neglect of duty filed against them.
In an eight-page order dated Sept. 25, 2025, the Ombudsman denied the motions filed by Garcia-Yulo, Civil Registrar Archie Montelibano, and Business Permit and Licensing Office officer-in-charge Warren Jocson, thereby affirming its Feb. 20, 2025 decision that found them liable for violating Section 21(e) of Republic Act (RA) 11032 also known as the Ease of Doing Business and Efficient Government Service Delivery Act.
The Ombudsman ordered the respondents to pay a fine equivalent to six months of their respective salaries, which may be deducted from their retirement benefits, leave credits, or any receivables from their office.
In the ruling, Graft Investigation and Prosecution Officer II Abegail Marie Cinco said substantial evidence supported the complaint filed by Ramona Nalagon Villaflor, alleging unreasonable delay and the subsequent denial of her business permit renewal.
The respondents argued that the delay was justified due to the complainant’s failure to submit required documents such as a contract of lease, land title, or tax declaration.
They also cited issues arising from a duplicate business permit application filed by the complainant’s sister.
However, the Ombudsman maintained that the arguments simply repeated points already addressed in the earlier ruling.
It further noted that the motions did not meet any of the grounds under Section 27 of RA 6770 or The Ombudsman Act of 1989, which would warrant a reversal of the decision.
The Ombudsman order stressed that the respondents likewise failed to justify their non-compliance with the processing time mandated under RA 11032.
Garcia-Yulo said she respects the Ombudsman’s decision.
“We cannot please everyone. There may indeed be complaints, but this will not weaken our determination to serve for the good of the many,” she added. | GB
