By I. Inojales | 09:35 AM July 27, 2025
CALAPE, BOHOL — The Office of the Ombudsman for the Visayas has dismissed seven members of the Sangguniang Bayan (SB) of Calape town for grave misconduct and abuse of authority, following a complaint filed by former Mayor Julius Caesar Herrera.
In an order signed by Deputy Ombudsman Dante Flores Vargas on July 8, 2025, the following SB members were dismissed from public service with perpetual disqualification from holding public office, cancellation of civil service eligibility, forfeiture of retirement benefits, and disqualification from taking civil service exams:
-Joyce M. Josol
-Maria Aileen D. Veloso
-Jeannie Verano
-Ma. Leonora G. Rulona
-Bella C. Ancog
-Amado T. Samijon
-Mark Louise C. Cambangay
The dismissal stemmed from Ombudsman Case No. OMB-V-A-JUL-24-0127, filed by Herrera in 2024. The complaint alleged abuse of authority, gross neglect of duty, and misconduct, particularly in connection with Municipal Ordinance No. 2024-01, which involved the allocation and use of the town’s 20 percent Development Fund.
According to Herrera, the SB members improperly declared the ordinance “inoperative,” but the ordinance was later vetoed by the mayor.
The Ombudsman cleared Vice Mayor Junie Yu, ruling that he could not be held liable since, as SB presiding officer, he did not vote on the ordinance except in case of a tie.
Also exonerated were former SB members Madelone Rengel and John Ted Labajo, as they had already separated from public service as of October 31, 2023, prior to the passage of the ordinance in question.
The order was based on the recommendation of Assistant Ombudsman Gaudioso Mendez, who submitted his findings on June 27, 2025. With reports from Ric Obedencio
