TABUK CITY, Kalinga – Mayor Darwin C. Estran͂ero called on his critics and detractors to respect the recent decision of the Office of the Ombudsman that dismissed the earlier graft case filed against him to ensure the efficient delivery of basic services to the residents.
In an online press conference that held recently, Mayor Estran͂ero said that when the Office of the Ombudsman came out with its initial decision that recommended the filing of the graft case against him before the Sandiganbayan in relation to the purchase of medical equipment and supplies at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, he willingly and voluntarily served the recommended 6-month suspension but exercised his right to file the motion for partial reconsideration that allowed him to provide new evidence that will support his previous actions on the assailed overpriced purchases.
He added that as part of the legal process, he was able to provide the prices of the medical equipment and supplies canvassed by the City Health Services office that was confirmed by the City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council during a meeting that was called for where the minutes of the same were also attached.
“Everyone has the right to serve the people in whatever capacity. One does not need to be elected as an official to be able to serve because it can be done in one’s private capacity,” Mayor Estran͂ero stressed.
The local chief executive claimed that while serving his suspension, he still continued to serve the people of Tabuk in his private capacity and never abandoned them Estran͂ero expressed his gratitude to the Office of the Ombudsman for giving weight to the new evidences that he presented that eventually caused the dismissal of the graft case that was earlier filed against him as he merely performed his mandate to ensure the health and safety of his constituents at the height of the pandemic through the purchase of the needed medical equipment and supplies.
According to him, it is high time for everyone to move on following the latest Ombudsman decision that cleared him of the graft charge because whatever is the interest of the people of Tabuk, no more, no less, especially during the present difficult times where timely government interventions are needed to address the said concerns on the effects of the El Nino phenomenon to the sources of livelihood, the threats of various kinds of illnesses to the health of the people, the implementation of the local government’s priority development projects, among others.
Mayor Estran͂ero pointed out that there is nothing wrong in being a fiscaliser but his critics must make sure that they or their benefactors must not have a hidden agenda in what they are doing so that they will be able to reflect the true sense of being an opposition.
Estran͂ero asserted that one of the lessons that he learned on the matter is that for as long as his decisions will be for the benefit of the people and for them to be spared from the effects of whatever crisis that will transpire, it is still best to work for the welfare of the greater majority instead of being a lame duck on said concerns.
He admitted that being prone to criminal and administrative charges is one of the greater risks of being a public official but whatever allegations must be supported by concrete evidences so that whatever cases that will be filed will not be construed as part of efforts to discredit him or other local officials and tarnish his image in the eyes of the people.
He urged the people to avoid hurling unfounded, unfair, biased and malicious allegations against their local officials just for the sake of being critical about their actions because it will end up as a mere smear campaign against those who are being maligned.
Further, Estran͂ero stipulated that moving on from this challenge in his political career, he will be aggressive in the realization of his priority development projects in the city such as the completion of the market structures, the put up of housing structures, the effective and efficient delivery of health care services, the sustainable implementation of the local government’s scholarship program and assistance to the education sector among others.
He emphasized that no one will be left behind in the local government’s desire to elevate the status of Tabuk to greater heights in the future. By Dexter A. See
