THE Office of the Ombudsman ordered on Monday the dismissal from service of Cagayan’s Tuguegarao City Mayor Jefferson Soriano for grave misconduct and abuse of authority.
In a decision, the Ombudsman said Soriano “committed a corrupt act when he gave unwarranted benefit, advantage or preference to One Way Parking Terminal Inc. through manifest partiality by issuing the provisional permit without prior ordinance and authorization from the Sanggunian.”
“OWPTI was allowed immediately to operate the terminal even without going through the proper process of seeking legislative franchise from the Sanggunian,”it added.
Ombudsman Conchita Carpio Morales directed Interior and Local Government Secretary Ismael Sueno to immediately implement the dismissal order.
“Soriano abused his authority and flagrantly disregarded established rules since he put the cart before the horse by issuing the permit without authorization by the Sanggunian,” she said.
The dismissal order comes with the accessory penalties of perpetual disqualification from holding public office, forfeiture of retirement benefits and cancellation of eligibility.
On Oct. 8, 2013, Soriano issued a letter advising all bus, van and passenger jeep operators and drivers to vacate their terminals and proceed to the areas outside of Poblacion, Tuguegarao.
He claimed the order was made on the strength of Ordinance No. 02-97 giving the city government the authority to designate parking areas.
On Dec. 20, 2013, the mayor issued a provisional permit to operate in favor of One Way Parking Terminal, Inc.
On the same date, Soriano endorsed to the Sanggunian the application of the terminal organization for its operation of a transport terminal.