Complaints were filed before the Office of the Ombudsman Visayas against Mandaue City Mayor Thadeo Jovito Ouano for allegedly appointing two incumbent barangay officials from Compostela town to paid city positions, possibly violating anti-graft laws and dual employment rules.
Radio commentator Edward dela Cerna Ligas named Ouano, Barangay Cogon Councilor Ian Negrido Arioja, and Barangay Poblacion Councilor Renee Lynn De Guzman Castro as respondents, citing unlawful appointments and administrative offenses.
The officials reportedly received monthly salaries while still serving their barangay posts, with Arioja earning P21,448 and Castro P20,110, performing administrative and accounting duties in the city government.
Ligas urged the Ombudsman to impose preventive suspension on Ouano and issue subpoenas for payroll and related documents, calling the arrangement a “circumvention-by-contract” scheme.
Mayor Ouano, while acknowledging the filing, said he has yet to receive the official complaint and will refer the matter to his legal team, insisting there is no employer-employee relationship under a Contract of Service.
Source: PhilNews24 | January 27, 2026
