Borbon, Cebu vice mayor faces graft charges over illegal bonuses, hiring of wife

CEBU, Philippines – The Office of the Ombudsman has filed two separate graft cases with the Cebu Regional Trial Court in Bogo City against Borbon, Cebu Vice Mayor Noel Dotillos over the unauthorized releases of bonuses to government workers in 2019 and the hiring of his wife as municipal health officer in 2024.

According to the Ombudsman’s office, Dotillos, when he was mayor of Borbon in 2019, ordered the release of an anniversary bonus to municipal employees totaling P570,000 without an appropriation from the Sangguniang Bayan.

When asked to explain the incident, Dotillos and Municipal Budget Officer Teresita Cabahug, in a motion for reconsideration sent to the Ombudsman, said that the absence of the appropriation was a procedural lapse.

“They maintained that the bonus was approved and processed in good faith, believing it was lawful and beneficial to municipal employees,” the Office of the Ombudsman said on Tuesday, June 23. 

The Ombudsman denied their motion for reconsideration and ruled that the municipality had suffered undue injury for the unauthorized release.

Prosecutors also noted that in 2024, Dotillos did not seek authorization from the Sangguniang Bayan when he hired his wife, retired physician Corazon Dotillos, to be the municipal health officer.

The Ombudsman alleged that the vice mayor acted in bad faith in entering into a contract of service with his wife.

“There is no proof that the plantilla item was ever published after respondent Corazon’s retirement, and any effort was made to secure a permanent appointment for such a position. Every contract renewal required the passage of a new Sangguniang Bayan Resolution,” the Ombudsman said.

A bail amount of P90,000 was recommended for each charge.

Rappler has sought Dotillos’ comment on the issue. This article will be updated with his statement. – Rappler.com