PORAC, Pampanga – The lone survivor in the mass suspension by the Ombudsman of sitting local officials implicated in the illegal operations of Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators here has assumed the mayoralty on Oct. 10
Councilor Myla Clarete took her oath of office as acting mayor of Porac with the implementation of a six-month preventive suspension on Mayor Jaime “Jing” Capil, Vice Mayor Francis Laurence Tamayo, councilors Rohner Buan, Rafael Canlapan, Adrian Carreon, Essel Joy David, Hilario Dimalanta, Michelle Santos, and John Nuevy Venson, along with Emerald Vital, OIC of the business permit and licensing office of Porac.
Clarete was accompanied on her first day in office by her brother in-law former councilor Mike Tapang, who is running for Porac mayor in 2025. Clarete did not file any certificate of candidacy for any position in next year’s election.
The registered physical therapist and law undergraduate, assumed office as councilor in October 2023 following the death of her brother, Regin, who was among the respondents in the complaint filed by the Department of the Interior and Local Government acted upon by Ombudsman Samuel Martires on Oct. 7.
Clarete’s first order of business as acting mayor was to meet with the department heads to ascertain smooth work flow in the municipal hall and no disruptions in the delivery of services to the residents.
This, even as she reminded them that her mayoralty watch was temporary.
Capil accepts suspension
“Kinikilala namin na ito ay kapangyarihan ng Ombudsman. Ngunit hindi po ito nangangahulugang kami ay nagkasala. Buo ang aming tiwala sa katarungan ng batas, at kami ay gagawa ng mga kaukulang hakbang upang linisin ang aming pangalan.”
Thus, said Capil of his suspension in a statement posted on social media Oct. 10.
“Sa kabila ng mga pagsubok na aming hinaharap nitong mga nakaraang buwan, patuloy kaming maglilingkod nang tapat at buong puso sa mga mamamayan ng Porac. Layunin din naming hindi lamang linisin ang aming pangalan kundi pati na rin itaas ang dangal ng Porac na naapektuhan ng isyung ito,” he added.
And avowed: “May tiwala ako sa Batas, may tiwala ako sa Katotohanan, at may tiwala ako sa Diyos. Gaya ng lahat ng pinagdaanan ko, makakaraos din tayo dito at kalaunan ay magiging panatag ang lahat.”
Gross neglect of duty
The Ombudsman’s order cited the Porac officials’ “inaction and willful non-compliance of their duties” that allowed Lucky South 99 to continue operating despite several violations, including the issuance of business permits in 2021, 2022 and 2023, without meeting the required regulations.
“Mayor Capil also failed to act appropriately on the reports of criminal activities happening inside Lucky South 99’s premises,” the complaint also said. “Notably, several validation requests and letters from the PNP concerning illegal activities such as serious illegal detention, cyber-related criminal activities, prostitution were left unacted upon by Mayor Capil.”
“These unified actions/inactions of respondents …make them all liable for Gross Neglect of Duty,” it said, moving for their preventive suspension pursuant to applicable provisions of RA 6770 (The Ombudsman Act of 1989).
It also cited the gravity of the charge of Gross Neglect of Duty “which if proven true, constitutes ground for the dismissal from the government service under the Revised Rules on Administrative Cases in the Civil Service.”
Finally, it said that “given the respondents’ power and authority, there is strong probability that they may influence witnesses or tamper with any evidence material to the case, and in order likewise to prevent any case of malfeasance and/or misfeasance, hence this Preventive Suspension.” Photo: GMA News screengrabbed
