Egay Tallado ready to run for governor

DAET, CNorte — The Special Seventh Division of the Court of Appeals (CA) has partially granted the petition for review by petitioner Edgardo "Egay" A. Tallado against respondents Office of the Ombudsman and Edgardo S. Gonzales, in a decision released last September 26.

In the dispositive portion, the court said "Wherefore, in view of the foregoing case, the instant petition for review is PARTIALLY GRANTED. Petitioner Edgardo A. Tallado is found guilty of Simple Misconduct and is meted the penalty of suspension of six (6) months.

It will be recalled that this case started as early as October 2, 2015. The Office of the Ombudsman had issued an Order finding the petitioner (Tallado) administratively liable for Oppression/Grave Abuse of Authority.

He was imposed a penalty of suspension from public service for one (1) year. In the criminal and administrative complaint, Camarines Norte Provincial Veterinarian Edgardo Gonzales, questioned his re-assignment from the position of Provincial Veterinarian to Provincial Information Officer. When the private respondent refused to report for work, the Tallado dropped him TALLADO from p.1 from the rolls.

Meanwhile, interviewed by the media, Sherwin Mata, Public Information Officer of Camarines Norte said Tallado wanted to have a complete reversal of the decision of the Ombudsman which meted a penalty of dismissal against him. But, the Court of Appeals had only partially granted the petition. 

The CA added "petitioner should only be held liable for simple misconduct. Simple misconduct is punishable under Section 46 (D) (2) of the Revised Tules on Administrative Cases in the Civil Service (RRACCS) with suspension of one (1) month and one (1) day to sixe (6) months. 

Considering the circumstances obtaining in this case, particularly petitioner's failure to immediately heed the directive from the DILG to desist from performing the functions of Governor of Camarines Norte on August 5, 2016.

We deem it proper to impose a penalty of six (6) months suspension."

"It must be noted that the petitioner had already vacated the Office of Governor as early as March 14, 2018, by reason of the Decision of the Ombudsman so that he has already fully served the penalty imposed herein."

In an interview, Tallado declared that he is now ready to run for the top position in the province.