The Office of the Ombudsman (OMB) has dismissed Sindangan, Zamboanga Del Norte Municipal Mayor Rosendo Labadlabad, Sindangan Barangay Captains Antonio Mohametano of Barangay Bago, Zosima Dela Cerna of Barangay Calatunan, Joselito Espinas of Barangay Ramon Magsaysay, Myzandro Dagondong of Barangay Mandih, and Barangay Treasurer Rebecca Lafuente of Barangay Bago from government service and perpetually disqualified from holding any government position, forfeiting their retirement benefits, due to Grave Misconduct.
In a ten-page copy of the decision dated May 16, 2023 but received by this publication last December 15, complaints against the aforementioned officials were filed last January 13, 2021 for their alleged issuance of permits to allow cockfights to be conducted within the barangays of the aforementioned officials but outside of a duly licensed cockpit. The complainants also personally attested to witnessing the conduct of these cockfights. These cockfights were meant to be part of their fiesta celebrations called Araw.
The OMB has determined their actions to be in violation of Presidential Decree Number 449 stating that cockfighting shall be allowed only in licensed cockpits and Republic Act Number 7160 which states that government officials cannot hold any interests in any cockpit. The OMB has also sent the directive to the Department of Interior and Local Government Secretary Ben Abalos to immediately implement the decision.
It is worth noting that Sindangan town Mayor Rosendo Labadlabad is a former Representative of the Second district of Zamboanga Del Norte and the President of the Zamboanga Del Norte League of Municipalities. His wife, Glona Labadlabad, is the current Representative of the Second district of Zamboanga Del Norte.
About The Author
