MARIVELES, Bataan — Mayor Ace Jello (AJ) Concepcion declared on Wednesday his willingness
to comply with the order of the Ombudsman placing him under preventive suspension for six
months Concepcion, a lawyer, said he was waiting for the instruction of the Department of Interior and
Local Government which is the implementing agency of such suspension directive for an orderly
transition and continuity of services of the local government to its constituents. “Kapag sinabi naman ng DILG na i-serve na yung suspension, wala naman problema ‘yan. Okay
lang naman sa atin ‘yan. The local government of Mariveles, ang mga kawani namin, lahat magko-comply at makikipag-coordinate, makikiisa sa imbestigasyon na gaganapin,” the mayor
said.
He called on his constituents to study the issue. “Siguro tingnan na lang natin ito na mayroong
hindi magkasundo na mga companies at siguro naipit tayo sa gitna pero gayunpaman we stand
sa mga desisyon natin na ito ay naaayon sa batas.”
Concepcion asked Mariveleños to have open minds. “Sa ginawa natin, tayo ay naninindigan na
hindi naagrabyado ang gobyerno, walang pondo ng gobyerno ang involve dito, walang
kababayan ang nalagay sa alanganin.”
Concepcion asked Mariveleños to have open minds. “Sa ginawa natin, tayo ay naninindigan na
hindi naagrabyado ang gobyerno, walang pondo ng gobyerno ang involve dito, walang
kababayan ang nalagay sa alanganin.”
He clarified that preventive suspension is not finding of guilt but ordered by the Ombudsman to
freely investigate the issue. He said he has directed all officials and employees of the municipal
government to extend all assistance to the investigation.
In a decision, the Ombudsman ordered the preventive suspension for six months of Concepcion
and barangay chair Florante Malimban of Alas-asin, Mariveles.
Hyatt Terminal and Industrial Corp. (HTIC) filed the complaints for alleged grave misconduct,
gross neglect of duty, serious dishonesty and conduct prejudicial to the best interest of the
service against Concepcion, Malimban and three others.
The prayer for preventive suspension of the three others was denied.
The Ombudsman’s order showed that HTIC ‘s complaints were in relation to the alleged
irregular issuance of clearances and permits to Filoil Logistics Corp., Filipinas Third Millenium
Realty Corp., and Peninsula Land Bay Realty Corp.
Concepcion explained that the case stemmed from the issuance of the Mariveles LGU of a
business permit to one company that was objected by another. “It was clear that we only
followed the provisions of the Ease of Doing Business Act that provides that it is only ministerial
for an LGU to issue business permit if the documents submitted are complete.”
“Hindi kunsiderasyon sa Ease of Doing Business Act ang anumang hidwaan ng mga negosyo.
Dito sa Mariveles malugod nating tutulungan ang sinumang nais magnegosyo basta’t naaayon
ito sa mga panuntunan ng batas,” the mayor said.
