• GILBERT P. BAYORAN
Moises Padilla Mayor Ella Celestina Garcia-Yulo said she respects the decision of the Ombudsman to dismiss her motion for reconsideration in the administrative case filed against them for grave abuse of authority and neglect of duty.
In an eight-page order dated September 25, 2025, the Ombudsman denied the motions filed by respondents Mayor Garcia-Yulo, Civil Registrar Archie Montelibano, and Warren Jocson, Business Permit and Licensing Office officer-in-charge, thereby affirming its February 20, 2025 decision that found them liable for violating Section 21(e) of Republic Act 11032, also known as the Ease of Doing Business and Efficient Government Service Delivery Act.
The Ombudsman ordered respondents to pay a fine equivalent to six months of their respective salaries, which may be deducted from their retirement benefits, leave credits, or any receivables from their office.
“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,” Garcia-Yulo said.
Graft Investigation and Prosecution Officer II Abegail Marie Cinco, who issued the ruling, said substantial evidence supported the complaint filed by Ramona Nalagon Villaflor, alleging unreasonable delay and the subsequent denial of her business permit renewal.
In their defense, the respondents argued that the delay was justified due to the complainant’s failure to submit required documents such as a contract of lease, land title, or tax declaration. They also cited issues arising from a duplicate business permit application filed by the complainant’s sister.
However, the Ombudsman maintained that the arguments simply repeated points already addressed in the earlier ruling. It further noted that the motions did not meet any of the grounds under Section 27 of RA 6770, which would warrant a reversal of the decision.
The Ombudsman order stressed that the respondents likewise failed to justify their non-compliance with the processing time mandated under RA 11032.*
