By Benjamin Cuaresma
QUEZON PROVINCE — Tayabas City Vice Mayor Rosauro Dalida has been suspended for six months and one day without pay after the Office of the Ombudsman found him administratively liable for conduct prejudicial to the best interests of the service in connection with a disputed road construction project.
The Department of the Interior and Local Government immediately enforced the Ombudsman’s suspension order.
DILG Regional Director Ariel Iglesia said Dalida was penalized under Section 5, Rule VI of Administrative Order No. 01, Series of 2026, in relation to Section 25 of Republic Act No. 6770.
The case stemmed from a complaint filed by retired Ambassador Fortunato Oblena after he received reports in February 2024 that coconut trees and other vegetation on his property had been damaged during the construction of a road.
Oblena said he went to the property and found a roughly 200-meter road project already underway, claiming he had not been informed about the construction.
He alleged that the road was intended to provide access to property acquired by Dalida, which was being developed into a commercial housing project.
Oblena further claimed that Dalida had asked the Barangay Council of Camaysa to pass a resolution supporting the road construction despite the alleged absence of approvals from the Department of Environment and Natural Resources and the Department of Public Works and Highways.
The retired ambassador also maintained that the project was unnecessary because farmers were already using an existing access road to reach their properties.
The complaint further alleged that Dalida’s security escort confronted Oblena’s relatives on April 26, 2024, and questioned why they had stopped the construction.
Oblena accused Dalida of possible violations of the Revised Penal Code, Republic Act No. 3019 or the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act, Republic Act No. 6713 or the Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees, and Presidential Decree No. 705 or the Forestry Reform Code of the Philippines.
Dalida said he immediately complied with the suspension order but denied that he misused or pocketed government funds.
“Wala naman ako ginagawang masama, tumulong lang ako para mapaganda yun lugar. Wala ako nakuha pera sa gobyerno, napulitika lang,” Dalida said.
He maintained that his involvement was intended to help improve the area.
Dalida also said the barangay had submitted a resolution requesting the rehabilitation of the road.
The suspension will keep Dalida out of office without pay for six months and one day under the penalty imposed by the Ombudsman.
ia/xf
