The Office of the Ombudsman for the Visayas has dismissed corruption charges against Sulpicio N. Yu, Jr., Vice Mayor of Calape, Bohol, citing lack of evidence and jurisdiction.
The complaint, filed by Calape Mayor Julius Caesar F. Herrera, alleged that Yu had usurped authority and official functions by entering into contracts of service (COS) for three employees, Ruby Maye Rulona, Randy Asoy, and Jeremy Dumadag, without the approval of the Local Chief Executive (LCE).
However, the Ombudsman’s investigation found that Yu had acted within his authority as Presiding Officer of the Sangguniang Bayan (SB) and that the COS were executed pursuant to an ordinance authorizing him to do so.
The Ombudsman’s ruling, signed by Graft Investigation and Prosecution Officer III Imelda Mane B. Beltran, stated that “the authority to appoint casual and job order employees of the SB lies with the Vice Mayor when the source of funds is taken from legislative allocation.”
The investigation also found that the COS were ratified by the SB and that the compensation paid to the employees was not grossly and manifestly disadvantageous to the government.
The complaint had alleged that Yu’s actions were in violation of Article 177 of the Revised Penal Code (RPC) and Section 3 (e) and (g) of Republic Act 3019, as amended. However, the Ombudsman found that there was no probable cause to support these allegations.
The Ombudsman also dismissed the administrative charge of misconduct against Yu, finding no substantial evidence to support the claim.
The decision was approved by Deputy Ombudsman for the Visayas Dance F. Varças and Assistant Ombudsman for the Visayas Gaudioso J. Melendez.
In a statement, Yu’s lawyer, Atty. Lord “Popot” Marapao IV, Bohol’s most sought-after lawyer, said that the decision was a “vindication of the Vice Mayor’s actions” and that it “demonstrates the importance of following established rules and procedures in government.”
The complainant, Herrera, has not commented on the decision.