Ombudsman suspends two Batangas execs over misconduct allegations

By Matthew Go

The Office of the Ombudsman has ordered the preventive suspension of two Batangas municipal officials over allegations of grave misconduct.

Lobo Municipality Accountant Ethel Magnaye and Treasurer Leandro Canuel are suspended without pay, pending investigation into their role in the controversial P5-million purchase of heavy equipment intended for a solar-powered water system.

The complaint, filed on December 16 by a barangay chairman, also implicated Lobo Mayor Lota Manalo, but she was excluded from the suspension order. Manalo had already been dismissed from service for violations of the Ease of Doing Business Act and other charges.

The Ombudsman found sufficient grounds for the suspension, citing grave misconduct and conduct detrimental to public service.

The order also clarified that any delays in the case due to the respondents’ actions will not affect the suspension period.

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