Porac mayor suspended over POGO

October 10, 2024 | 12:00am

MANILA, Philippines — The Office of the Ombudsman has suspended Mayor Jaime Capil of Porac, Pampanga and 10 other local officials for six months as it investigates an administrative complaint filed against them in connection with the recently raided Philippine offshore gaming operator (POGO) in the municipality.

In an 11-page order signed by Ombudsman Samuel Martires on Oct. 7, the anti-graft body said the preventive suspension of Capil, Vice Mayor Francis Laurence Tamayo and other respondents is necessary as there is strong evidence of guilt against them for the complaint of gross neglect of duty filed by the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG).

The ombudsman said the suspension of the defendants is proper as gross neglect of duty warrants dismissal from the service if the accusations are proven true.

Aside from Capil and Tamayo, ordered suspended were councilors Rohner Buan, Rafael Canlapan, Adrian Carreon, Regin Clarete, Essel Joy David, Hilario Dimalanta, Michelle Santos and John Nuevy Venzon as well as business permit and licensing officer Emerald Vital.

The ombudsman said the respondents’ preventive suspension must not exceed six months, although it may be lifted anytime the investigation is terminated.

The ombudsman’s order  is “immediately executory,” without prejudice to the filing of any motion, appeal or petition by the respondents.

Deputy Ombudsman for the military and other law enforcement offices Jose Balmeo Jr. was tasked to implement the order.

The ombudsman clarified that the order against the respondents is merely preventive and not punitive. It said it was  meant to prevent them from infuencing potential witnesses or tampering with records and other possible pieces of evidence.

The complaint stemmed from the allegedly anomalous grant of a business permit to Lucky South 99, which was raided by the Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission on June 4.

Up to 207 workers, including 50 Filipinos, 127 Chinese, 23 Vietnamese, four Malaysians and three Myanmar nationals were rescued from the hub.

The Lucky South 99 was allegedly involved in cybercrimes as well as in prostitution and illegal drugs.

The DILG said the workers were subjected to physical maltreatment and detention.

It said Capil, Tamayo and the other municipal officials must be held liable for allowing the operations of Lucky South 99 since 2021 even as the POGO’s license from the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. has expired.