Calatrava Mayor Marilyn Era has been found guilty of grave abuse of authority and gross negligence of duty for the termination of the consultancy services of two doctors at the Calatrava Municipal Hospital before the end of their contracts.
The Negros Occidental Sangguniang Panlalawigan, acting as a Quasi-Judicial Body, in a decision signed by Vice Governor Jeffrey Ferrer dated Nov. 26 meted a penalty of two months suspension on Era.
However, in consideration of the need for continuity of public service to the people of Calatrava, the SP decision said the mayor is fined in lieu of her penalty of suspension equivalent to two months of her salary payable to the complainants, doctors Lewyn C. Torres and Kristine D. Ureta.
Era could not be reached for comment by DIGICAST NEGROS.
Torres and Ureta said they were hired as medical consultants of the Calatrava Municipal Hospital for three months from April 1 to June 30, 2024.
However, in the last month of their consultancy services they were informed that they would not receive “any scheduled rotation” for June, they said.
They wrote a letter to the mayor on June 3 seeking clarification but did get a reply, the doctors also said.
The decision said Era committed grave abuse of authority by refusing to provide a work schedule to the two doctors for the month of June and negligence for her refusal to reply to their queries.
Torres, on Friday, Dec. 6, said he was not satisfied with the decision because based on the provisions of the law grave misconduct is punishable by six months to one year suspension.
He will meet with his legal counsel and may elevate the case to the Ombudsman, Torres said.*