MANILA – The office of the Ombudsman has ordered the preventive suspension of top local officials of Porac town in Pampanga for gross neglect of duty over the illegal activities at an unlicensed Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGO) hub in the municipality.
In its eleven-page order dated October 7, Ombudsman Samuel Martirez ordered the preventive suspension of incumbent Porac Mayor Jaime Capil, Vice Mayor Francis Laurence Tamayo, town Business Permit and Licensing Office (BPLO) OIC Emerald Vital, and eight Sangguniang Bayan members namely: Rohner Buan; Rafael Canlapan; Adrian Carreon; Regin Clarete; Essel Joy David; Hilario Dimalanta; Michelle Santos; and John Nuevy Venzon.
The suspension stemmed from the complaint filed by the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) over Lucky South 99, which was raided in June.
“The said respondents stand charged for Gross Neglect of Duty, which, if proven true, constitutes ground for their dismissal from the government service under the Revised Rules on Administrative Cases in the Civil Service.” the order said.
The case, the Ombudsman said, involves “the inaction and willful non-compliance of their duties… taken altogether, paved way for the continuous operation of Lucky South 99.“
Records showed that Lucky South 99 was issued business permits for 2021, 2022 and 2023 despite lack of prior regulatory requirements, an expired Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) license, and a BPLO certification that Lucky 99 has no business permit for 2024.
“Given respondents’ power and authority, there is a strong probability that they may influence witnesses or tamper with any evidence material to the case, and in order to likewise prevent and possible acts of malfeasance and/or misfeasance,” The Ombudsman said.
The Deputy Ombudsman for the Military and Other Law Enforcement Offices Jose Balmeo Jr. was directed to implement the order. (PNA)