By Leilanie G. Adriano
Staff Reporter
Paoay, Ilocos Norte—The Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) in Region 1 served on the morning of July 4. 2019 the dismissal order against newly elected Paoay Mayor Jessie Galano.
Mr. Galano was not in his office when Atty. Patrick Estillore, DILG Region I regional legal officer served the order signed by DILG Regional Director James Fadrilan.
Meanwhile, the DILG has directed Vice Paoay Mayor Romulo Acdal to assume as the new mayor, by the law of succession.
Pursuant to a July 1, 2019 memorandum of DILG Secretary Eduardo Año, it states that they will still enforce decision that dismissed and suspended local elective officials who ran, won and proclaimed as winners last May 13, 2019 elections.
Mr. Galano was one of them, with the DILG citing a January 31, 2018 decision from the Ombudsman, dismissing him from service. Up to now, Mr. Galano has failed to secure a favorable relief pending an appeal at the Supreme Court.
“This order is without prejudice to the outcome of any pending case in court that would give you favorable relief,” said Mr. Fadrilan in the letter addressed to Mr. Galano.
The Office of the Ombudsman ousted Mr. Galano in connection with the administrative complaint filed in 2015 by then Paoay Mayor Dolores Clemente against him when he was still the vice mayor.
The complaint alleged that then Vice Mayor Galano signed the travel order and other related documents contrary to law on the ground that only the mayor is authorized to sign and approve such travel documents.
The Ombudsman resolved the case and found him guilty of violating Republic Act No. 6713, or Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees, and Republic Act No. 7160 or The Local Government Code.
The dismissal order against Mr. Galano has the accessory penalties of perpetual disqualification from holding public office, cancellation of civil service eligibility and bar from taking the civil service examination.
On the same day, Mr. Acdal took his oath as the acting mayor before Judge Artemio H. Quidilia Jr. with the dismissed mayor Galano by his side. They were running mates during the last election with both of them winning.
The acting mayor said in a press conference he will take care of the office which Mr. Galano left and serve the people of Paoay with the dismissed mayor as his adviser.