Zarraga mayor, vice mayor dismissed over P11-M anomalous land deal

Mayor Ma. Jofel Soldevilla and Vice Mayor Michael Omar Lacson of Zarraga, Iloilo, have been dismissed from government service by the Office of the Ombudsman for grave misconduct.

The dismissal is in connection with an allegedly anomalous P11-million land deal in 2023 involving a property owned by Vice Mayor Lacson's family, intended for the town's Local Shelter Plan.

The Ombudsman found that Soldevilla and Lacson conspired and unlawfully used their positions to push through with the land purchase without proper authority from the Sangguniang Bayan.

In a separate resolution dated July 13, the ombudsman found probable cause to indict Soldevilla and Lacson for violating Republic Act 3019 or the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act.

The penalties include dismissal from service, cancellation of civil service eligibility, forfeiture of retirement benefits, and perpetual disqualification from holding public office.

If dismissal is no longer enforceable, it will be converted to a fine equivalent to their basic salary for one year.

Zarraga Councilor Jose Jeffren Millan, municipal accountant Era Lerdon, budget officer Glezil Lozañes, treasurer Leonora Pauya, and former councilors Rolando Papa, Nelida Octaviano, and Mark Andrian Sulolayon were suspended for six months for simple misconduct.