THE Office of the Ombudsman-Visayas found the late Pinamungajan mayor Jeffrey Yapha liable for failing to return seven government-issued firearms.
Yapha died on September 11, 2014, while being treated for a clot in his left leg. He was 57 years old.
The anti-graft office said that although death absolves him of his liabilities, it is proper to resolve the administrative complaint for record purposes.
He was meted a fine of P552,461, which was twice the amount of the firearms he failed to produce.
Graft investigation and prosecution officer Eileen Mae Lagat-Alde said the death of the respondent in an administrative case does not preclude a finding of an administrative liability except in some instances, which are not present in Yapha’s case.
Early on, a certain Rigel Teñedo filed an administrative complaint against Yapha for not returning seven government-issued firearms despite having received three notices from municipal treasurer Ursula Managaytay.
In his counter-affidavit, Yapha denied the allegation.
But Alde said he clearly received firearms from the government but failed to return them.