BUKIDNON NEWS – We first saw the tweet from a reporter from DZBB Manila. We then retweeted it via our Bukidnon Online Twitter account. A few hours later, it has been confirmed. The Office of the Ombudsman has apparently ordered the suspension of Bukidnon Governor Jose Ma. Zubiri, Jr. for 6 months. This, after he was allegedly found guilty of grave abuse of authority and oppression.

According to the Monday ruling by the Office of the Ombudsman, the case stemmed from an incident last January 2013 when Governor Zubiri refused to sign the clearance and act on the request for commutation of former Provincial Assessor Carlos Ycaro.

Zubiri allegedly claimed that Ycaro could not be cleared due to “missing chairs” under his property accountability. The Ombudsman, however, ruled that this cannot “serve as valid excuse to deny approval of his application for leave commutation, especially where he has more than 300 days in commutable leave credits.”

This then led to Zubiri being found guilty of grave abuse of authority amounting to oppression. The Bukidnon governor was also faulted for violating the Code of Ethical Standards for Public Officials for “completely ignoring the two communications of complainant, addressed to his office” or the obligation to respond to letters and requests within 15 working days.

The Ombudsman has directed the Department of the Interior and Local Government to carry out the suspension.

Bukidnon Online will strive to get any statements from Zubiri.

The Bukidnon governor is the father of Senator Juan Miguel Zubiri and the uncle of Malaybalay City Mayor Ignacio Zubiri.

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