By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga
The Office of the Ombudsman has dismissed the case filed against incumbent Bacolod City Mayor Evelio Leonardia involving the appointment of Atty. Allan Zamora as City Legal Officer (CLO), who served from July 2004 until his passing in March 2009.
In a resolution approved by Ombudsman Samuel Martires, dated December 10, 2018, they did not find probable cause to indict the mayor on supposed violations of a Civil Service Commission (CSC) decision invalidating the appointment; along with allegations of violations to RA 3019, the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act.
The complaint was initially filed by former Executive Assistant Sarah Teresa Esguerra, who alleged Leonardia violated the law by retaining Zamora as CLO after the CSC invalidated the appointment with finality.
The mayor argued Zamora was granted two appointments and the second instance was never questioned.
In response to the ruling, Leonardia characterized the case as “clear political persecution” and linked Esguerra to his predecessor, former Bacolod City Mayor Monico Puentevella./DGB, WDJ