The Office of the President partly granted the appeal of Mayor Gerandy Danao of Narra, Palawan. Instead of 20 months suspension, it was reduced by the office to 14 months after studies conducted on his case.
Malacañang ruled that appellant Danao is “not guilty” of Grave Misconduct for issuing Special Permits for special cockfights on January to March 2020. The said office reasoned that Mayor Danao acted in good faith in issuing the said permits.
However, the Office of the President finds the following:
The respondent Mayor Gerandy Danao guilty of Grave Misconduct for the issuance of the Mayor’s Permit in favor of Allander Santos authorizing the establishment of the New Antipuluan Cockpit without the concurrence of the Sanggunian Bayan of Narra and thereby affirms the imposition of the penalty of six (6) months suspension.
The respondent Mayor Gerandy Danao guilty of Gross Negligence regarding the delay in the submission of the Executive Budget for fiscal year 2020 and thereby affirms the imposition of the penalty of six (6) months suspension.
The respondent Mayor Gerandy Danao guilty of Conduct Prejudicial to the Best Interest of Service for committing acts tarnishing the reputation and integrity of his public office and thereby affirms the imposition of the penalty of two (2) months suspension.
The interpretation of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan was correct that each offense shall have a maximum penalty of six (6) months of suspension provided that the collective period will not exceed the unexpired term under the law and thereby affirming the propriety of the imposition of the suspension of twenty (20) months.
Meanwhile, both parties may still file a motion for reconsideration to the Office of the President.
It will be recalled that on September 24, 2020, the Provincial Government issued an order to impose a 20-month suspension on Danao for Grave Misconduct, Gross Negligence and Conduct Prejudicial to the Best Interest of Service.
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