THE Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) said the local government of Cebu City will file cases against former mayor Tomas R. Osmeña for stripping bare his office as his term ended last week.

DILG Undersecretary Jonathan E. Malaya said that the local government of Cebu would file a case for theft and graft.

“We are currently coordinating with the city government of Cebu. According to the city legal officer, Stephanie Claros, her office is prepared to file a case against the former mayor before the office of the Ombudsman….. They are planning to file cases in violation of Article 308 of the Revised Penal Code for Theft, and Section 3 (e) of Republic Act 3019 or the Anti-Graft and Corrupt practices act against former mayor Tommy Osmena,” said Mr. Malaya at a press briefing on Friday, July 5.

Mr. Malaya also said that officers and 32 workers of Dakay Construction and Development Corp., which had dismantled the office, will also be charged.

Aside from office furniture, shelves, tiles, light and bathroom fixtures, partitions and doors had been removed.

The DILG will also make a separate investigation into the case of the former Cebu mayor, said Mr. Malaya.

“On the part of DILG, Secretary Ano has also directed our legal division… to likewise complete the investigation, to determine the facts of the case,” he said. “We have decided to file legal action against mayor, but I cannot announce right now kung ano ’yung mga ’yun (what they are) because of due process also.”

The DILG official noted that Mr. Osmeña could have just asked for a reimbursement if he had used his own money to renovate his office.

“Then the proper procedure to it is magpa-reimburse siya sa cost na ’yun (he should ask for a reimbursement for the cost incurred). Because the movable objects can be taken home, but the immovable objects… hindi mo na maiuuwi sa bahay yun (you cannot bring them home)… Since siya naman ’yung (he is the) mayor, it would have been very easy for him to [get] reimburse,” said Mr. Malaya. — Vince Angelo C. Ferreras

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