Administrative charges were filed against the mayor of Dauin, Oriental Negros, before the Office of the Ombudsman Visayas for his alleged failure to submit an annual budget for the current year.

Mayor Rodrigo Alanano of Dauin submitted the proposed budget for his municipality only on Jan. 8, of this year.

In a resolution, members of Sangguniang Bayan of the town headed by Vice Mayor Frances Lora Araula, said they resorted to legal action by filing a verified complaint with the Ombudsman, for the mayor's violation of Section 318, Chapter 3, Article 1 of the Local Government Code.

Under the provision, local chief executives are supposed to submit their annual budget for the current year every October 16 of the preceding year.

Araula and majority of the councilors had criticized the mayor's actuations in "dictating" how much should be appropriated for the budget of a certain department.

Councilor Rogelio Alana said that when the office of the mayor and the municipal council were still on good terms, the budget was approved in less than two minutes.

Araula said the municipality needs officials who can speak out their minds and not give in to the dictates of their leader who make them a stamping pad.*JG

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