By Leilanie G. Adriano
Staff reporter
Paoay, Ilocos Norte—Major transactions of the local government unit here remains paralyzed as of press time following the expiration of a 60-day temporary restraining order the court issued to halt the dismissal of Paoay Mayor Jessie Galano.
Since September 10, 2018, some government employees have started to complain about the delay in receiving their salaries as piles of documents due for signature and processing are stocked at the mayor’s office.
Paoay Vice Mayor Eileen Llaguno-Guerrero confirmed this in an interview as the Department of Interior and Local Government has not issued any directive so far regarding the mayor’s case.
“Based on our inquiry at the DILG provincial office, there is no order yet from the regional and central office. As a result, all important transactions at the Paoay government remain pending for approval at the Mayor’s Office,” said Ms. Guerrero.
On June 21, 2018, the Court of Appeals granted a 60-day TRO in favor of dismissed Paoay town mayor Jessie Galano.
Mr. Galano’s dismissal from service came after a resolution of the Office of the Ombudsman finding the Paoay mayor and his municipal administrator Bruno Dumlao guilty for grave abuse of authority, gross neglect of duty, grave misconduct and serious dishonesty.
In 2015, then Paoay mayor Dolores Clemente filed administrative charges against then Paoay Vice Mayor Galano and Sangguniang Bayan member Bruno Dumlao in violation of Republic Act No. 6713 and Republic Act No. 7160 specifically on the falsification of travel documents which was reimbursed from the municipal treasurer’s office.
The dismissed mayor has not issued any statement so far after his TRO expired.