ILOCOS SUR - The Office of the Ombudsman ordered the dismissal of Jesus Sagay as mayor of the town of Lidlidda in this province.

The Ombudsman found Sagay guilty of grave misconduct and conduct prejudicial to the best interest of the service after establishing a demonstration farm at his sister's lot instead of using the lot purchased and developed by the local government unit.

The mayor continued to establish the demo farm despite the passage of a resolution by the Sangguniang Bayan stopping the project.

The respondent also failed to return the money used in the development of his sister’s lot to the damage and prejudice of the municipality.

The complainant was filed by Romeo Duca, a former councilor of the town.

On Tuesday, the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) served the dismissal order. Sagay personally received the copy.

Aside from his dismissal from office, the penalty also includes his perpetual disqualification from holding public office, cancellation of eligibility, and forfeiture of benefits.

“I only acted on a project na para sa ikakabuti ng mga magsasaka at ibang residente. Gayunpaman, we have to respect the law," Sagay said.

“Naging maayos at matiwasay naman dahil sa kooperasyon ni Mayor Sagay. May police force tayo na nakapwesto sa vicinity ng munisipyo just in case magkagulo pero sa awa ng diyos, naging maayos," said Municipal Local Government Operations Officer Francis Jayson Racquel.

Through the law of succession, DILG immediately swore into office Vice Mayor Benilda Tawali as the new mayor of the town, and councilor Arturo Claudio Jr. as the new vice mayor.

“Matagal naman akong nagsilbing konsehal ng bayan, unang termino ko na bise mayor pero ganito ang nangyari kaya hindi pa rin ako makapaniwala. Ipagpapatuloy ko kung ano man ang magagandang proyekto na nasimulan sa pamumuno ni Mayor Sagay,” Tawali said.

Sagay and Tawali were running mates in the May elections. Sagay had been serving the town of Lidlidda for more than fifteen years.