REGIONAL
Advocates Philippines
Porac Mayor And Vice Mayor Suspended By Ombudsman Over POGO Raid - What's The Story Behind It?
Porac, Pampanga
The entire top brass of Porac, Pampanga – from the mayor, vice mayor, to every single member of the municipal council – has been slapped with a suspension by the Office of the Ombudsman. The case? It all boils down to a controversial raid involving a Philippine Offshore Gaming Operator (POGO) that put their leadership under serious scrutiny.
Who’s Affected?
The suspension order, filed under OMB-C-A-SEP-24-0093, is a result of a complaint for Gross Neglect of Duty, with the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) leading the charge. The officials affected include Mayor Jaime V. Capil, Vice Mayor Francis Laurence C. Tamayo, Vice Mayor Charlie O. Santos, and key members of the Sangguniang Bayan such as Rohner L. Buan, Rafael M. Canlapan, Adrian R. Carreon, Regin B. Clarete, Essel Joy C. David, Hilario D. Dimalanta, Michelle B. Santos, and John Nuevy L. Venzon. Also caught in the crossfire is Emerald Vital, the Licensing Assistant who was then the OIC of the Business Permit and Licensing Office.
What’s the Suspension About?
The Ombudsman’s order came after allegations that these officials turned a blind eye to the operations of a POGO within their municipality—an operation that was later raided by authorities. This led to accusations of Gross Neglect of Duty. According to the order, they will be “preventively suspended” for up to six months without pay while the case is ongoing. This means that even though the suspension is temporary, it’s a serious enough move to ensure that these officials cannot influence the investigation in any way.
What’s Next for Porac?
With practically the entire local government leadership sidelined, Porac is now in a state of flux. Residents and business owners are left wondering who will fill in the leadership gap and how this will affect local governance. The DILG is expected to step in and ensure that municipal services continue uninterrupted, but the ripple effects of this suspension are likely to be felt across the community.
The suspension also serves as a stern reminder for local officials nationwide about the potential consequences of not upholding their duties, particularly when it comes to regulating businesses that may operate outside the bounds of the law.
What Do the Suspended Officials Have to Say?
At this point, the suspended officials have yet to release a joint statement, but some have reportedly expressed their intent to appeal the decision, citing that they were not directly involved in the controversial POGO. As this legal battle unfolds, all eyes will be on Porac to see if its leaders can bounce back and clear their names.
For now, it’s a waiting game. But one thing’s for sure: this case has set a precedent and put local governance under a magnifying glass. The public will be watching closely as this unfolds—waiting to see if justice will truly be served.
Who’s Affected?
The suspension order, filed under OMB-C-A-SEP-24-0093, is a result of a complaint for Gross Neglect of Duty, with the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) leading the charge. The officials affected include Mayor Jaime V. Capil, Vice Mayor Francis Laurence C. Tamayo, Vice Mayor Charlie O. Santos, and key members of the Sangguniang Bayan such as Rohner L. Buan, Rafael M. Canlapan, Adrian R. Carreon, Regin B. Clarete, Essel Joy C. David, Hilario D. Dimalanta, Michelle B. Santos, and John Nuevy L. Venzon. Also caught in the crossfire is Emerald Vital, the Licensing Assistant who was then the OIC of the Business Permit and Licensing Office.
What’s the Suspension About?
The Ombudsman’s order came after allegations that these officials turned a blind eye to the operations of a POGO within their municipality—an operation that was later raided by authorities. This led to accusations of Gross Neglect of Duty. According to the order, they will be “preventively suspended” for up to six months without pay while the case is ongoing. This means that even though the suspension is temporary, it’s a serious enough move to ensure that these officials cannot influence the investigation in any way.
What’s Next for Porac?
With practically the entire local government leadership sidelined, Porac is now in a state of flux. Residents and business owners are left wondering who will fill in the leadership gap and how this will affect local governance. The DILG is expected to step in and ensure that municipal services continue uninterrupted, but the ripple effects of this suspension are likely to be felt across the community.
The suspension also serves as a stern reminder for local officials nationwide about the potential consequences of not upholding their duties, particularly when it comes to regulating businesses that may operate outside the bounds of the law.
What Do the Suspended Officials Have to Say?
At this point, the suspended officials have yet to release a joint statement, but some have reportedly expressed their intent to appeal the decision, citing that they were not directly involved in the controversial POGO. As this legal battle unfolds, all eyes will be on Porac to see if its leaders can bounce back and clear their names.
For now, it’s a waiting game. But one thing’s for sure: this case has set a precedent and put local governance under a magnifying glass. The public will be watching closely as this unfolds—waiting to see if justice will truly be served.
Oct 9, 2024
We are dedicated storytellers with a passion for bringing your brand to life. Our services range from news and media features to brand promotion and collaborations.
Interested? Visit our
Contact Us page for more information. To learn more about what we offer, check out our latest article on services and opportunities.
