The Deputy Ombudsman for the Visayas has slapped a one-year suspension without pay on a Dumaguete City Hall employee for violations of Republic Act No. 3019 or the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act.

Upon receipt of the suspension order, Mayor Agustin Perdices yesterday issued a directive to implement the order of the Ombudsman suspending Julius Ricardo for one year without pay, effective April 16.

Ricardo’s suspension stemmed from the complaint filed by Danilo Amores and company, involving the effectivity of the tax assessment made by Ricardo on the Uymatiao property located at the corner of Locsin and Perdices streets that was allegedly moved to 2007 instead of 2006, depriving the city of more than P182,000 in tax revenue.

The suspension approved by Acting Ombudsman Orlando Casimiro is immediately executory despite the filing of available remedies, or until sooner revoked, city legal officer Neil Ray Lagahit said.

Lagahit also said Ricardo was cleared by the Ombudsman of five other complaints filed against him.

Ricardo told the DAILY STAR that his conscience is clear and that he is availing of the remedies provided by law.

He admitted having made the assessment but stressed he could not have approved the same, because he was not the head of office when it happened. He said he was designated as officer-in-charge only a few months ago.*JG

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