Several Mandaue City government officials and personnel are facing graft charges after the Office of the Ombudsman found probable cause to indict them for violating the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act.
The charges stem from the complaint filed by Maria Priscilla “Happy” Melendres and Maritoni Melendres, who accused the city officials of illegally demolishing and padlocking their property in Barangay Paknaan.
The Ombudsman ruled that the respondents, led by city assistant assessor Julius Caesar Entise, unlawfully restricted access to the property without a court order.
The respondents have filed a motion for reconsideration, arguing they were simply following orders and claiming the land was public.
However, the complainants argue that the city officials had no legal authority to take such actions, and the Notice to Demolish was not issued by the Mayor’s Office, but by the City Legal Office.
Source: PhilNews24 | February 9, 2025
