By CESAR JOLITO III

The Office of the Ombudsman has upheld its earlier ruling finding Moises Padilla Mayor Ella Garcia-Yulo and two municipal officials administratively liable for grave abuse of authority and neglect of duty over the delayed processing of a business permit application.

The denial of their motions for reconsideration was confirmed by Garcia-Yulo, who said she has accepted the ruling and respects the Ombudsman’s authority.

In an eight-page order dated September 25, 2025, the Ombudsman affirmed its February 20, 2025 decision against Garcia-Yulo, Civil Registrar Archie Montelibano, and Business Permit and Licensing Office officer-in-charge Warren Jocson.

The ruling held them liable for violating Section 21 of Republic Act (RA) 11032, or the Ease of Doing Business and Efficient Government Service Delivery Act.

The case stemmed from a complaint by business owner Ramona Nalagon Villaflor, who accused the officials of causing unreasonable delay that led to the denial of her business permit renewal.

Graft investigation and prosecution officer Abegail Marie Cinco, who penned the ruling, said substantial evidence showed that the required processing period under RA 11032 was not observed.

The Ombudsman ordered the respondents to pay a fine equivalent to six months of their salary, which can be deducted from receivables, leave credits or retirement benefits.

Arguments rejected

In their motions, the respondents claimed that the delay was due to the complainant’s failure to submit key documents, including a lease contract or property ownership records.

They also raised issues involving a duplicate permit application allegedly filed by the complainant’s sister.

However, the Ombudsman reiterated that these points were already addressed in the original decision, adding that the motions failed to meet any of the grounds under Section 27 of RA 6770 required for reversing an earlier ruling.

The order was reviewed by Acting Director Portia Pacquiao, recommended by Assistant Ombudsman for the Visayas Gaudioso Melendez, and approved by Acting Ombudsman Dante Vargas.

Garcia-Yulo, in a statement, said she has taken the Ombudsman’s decision in stride.

“We cannot please everyone, and there may indeed be complaints, but this will not weaken our determination to serve for the good of the many,” she said.

Despite the administrative setback, the mayor emphasized that public service delivery in Moises Padilla will continue without disruption as they comply with legal processes./CJ, WDJ