Cebu City gov't files charges vs Osmeña for stripping off fixtures from mayor's office

CEBU CITY - The Cebu City Government through its legal office lodged criminal and administrative charges against former Mayor Tomas Osmeña for stripping off the Mayor's office of fixtures and other properties before his term ended.

Other respondents to the complaint are Osmeña's personal assistant Paul Taboada, former city administrator Bimbo Fernandez, officials of Dakay Construction and several unidentified workers of the construction company.

City Legal Officer Attorney Rey Gealon said they filed cases relating to the Violation of the Anti-Graft and Corrupt and Practices Act, Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees, Theft, Malicious Mischief, Grave Misconduct, Grave Neglect of Duty, Conduct Unbecoming of Public Officials, Conduct Prejudicial to the Best Interest of the Service.

The Engineering Department has also assessed the value of the lost and damaged items at P853,713.14.

They will use as evidence a copy of the CCTV footage which showed the actual "demolition" of the office on the eve of June 27.

• No tiles or table: Outgoing Cebu City Mayor Osmeña leaves office bare for incoming Labella

Osmeña's legal counsel, Atty. Amado Ligutan, said the accusation was baseless. He insisted Osmeña owned the furnishings and furniture.

But the Interior Department has yet to release the results of a fact-finding mission conducted to find out if Osmeña can be held liable for his action.