The Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) and the provincial government of Bohol have yet to receive the official directive to implement the dismissal of Pilar Mayor Necitas Cubrado who was found guilty of grave misconduct by the Office of the Ombudsman.

DILG Bohol administrative officer Gina Bastes told DYRD Balita that the dismissal order will pass through the department’s office in Manila then the regional office in Cebu before reaching Bohol.

According to Bastes, it would also be possible for the DILG’s regional director to implement the dismissal.

For his part, acting Provincial Administrator and current Provincial Legal Officer John Boiser said that they have also yet to receive the official order from the Ombudsman.

Cubrado’s dismissal from government service stemmed from her previous order to waive electricity bills of some residents in the town of Pilar without approval from the municipal council.

The Ombudsman’s decision has also permanently banned Cubrado from holding public office and led to the cancellation of her eligibility and forfeiture of retirement benefits.

In addition to the verdict, the Ombudsman also recommended the filing of a complaint against Cubrado for violating Article 239 (Usurpation of Legislative Powers) of the Revised Penal Code before the Sandiganbayan.

Meanwhile, Cubrado has claimed that the recent development in her case was politically motivated.

“Gikasohan ko nila ni Wilson Pajo ug mga kauban ky wa kono ko mo kuha ug SB resulotion,” said Cubrado in her Facebook comment to a news post of DYRD Bohol Ang Kasaligan on her dismissal.

Pajo ran for the Pilar mayoralty in last year’s polls but lost to Cubrado.

In the same Facebook thread, the mayor also noted that her decision to waive the electricity bills was intended to relieve indigents of financial burden.

“Makapataas pako sa ahong agtang ky tabang ni sa mga pobre intawon pag taod ug kuryente,” she added. (R. Tutas)