ADMINISTRATIVE ORDER NO. 134, October 14, 1950

MALACAÑAN PALACE

MANILA

BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE PHILIPPINES

[ ADMINISTRATIVE ORDER NO. 134, October 14, 1950 ]

REPRIMANDING PROVINCIAL GOVERNOR MAMERTO S. RIBO OF LEYTE

This is an administrative case against Mr. Mamerto S. Ribo, Provincial Governor of Leyte, who stands charged with bribery, dishonesty, oppression and misconduct in office.

The evidence presented in the investigation does not establish the charge that the respondent received the amount of ₱45 as bribe money in consideration of his approval of nine firearms applications. This same charge was the subject of a criminal complaint filed against him with the Court of First Instance of Leyte, which, after due hearing, acquitted the respondent.

It has, however, been proved that respondent knowingly consented that his wife obtain a contract with the Provincial Government for the painting of a wing of the Leyte High School building; that he held and shook violently a school teacher for trying to evade his question when he investigated an accident caused by the careless driving of a truck which resulted in injuries to some students of the Leyte High School; that he arbitrarily suspended from office and caused the investigation and punishment by the Provincial Board of certain mayors of Leyte who were subsequently exonerated on appeal by the Secretary of the Interior; and that he caused the transfer of the management of the Tacloban Electric Plant from the office of the Provincial Treasurer to the Provincial Board and, after the disapproval by the Secretary of the Interior of the resolution of the Provincial Board providing for the transfer, he persisted in following said resolution.

The charges proved against the respondent show that his acts as a public official have not been above reproach. Instead of conducting himself in a manner that inspires the trust and confidence of the people as the father of his province, he allowed himself to be carried by violent passion and to be involved in improper transactions with his own administration through his wife which aroused suspicion and invited the criticism of people who are none too friendly to him. However, the acts committed by him do not constitute dishonesty, oppression or misconduct in office of such a degree as to warrant his removal.

In view of the foregoing, respondent Mamerto S. Kibo is hereby reprimanded and warned that repetition of similar acts will be dealt with more severely.

It appearing that the respondent has been suspended from office by reason of this case, his suspension shall be considered sufficient punishment for the irregularities committed by him. He is hereby reinstated in office without right to the payment of salary during his suspension.

Done in the City of Manila, this 14th day of October, in the year of Our Lord, nineteen hundred and fifty, and of the Independence of the Philippines, the fifth.

(Sgd.) ELPIDIO QUIRINO

President of the Philippines

By the President:

(Sgd.) TEODORO EVANGELISTA

Executive Secretary