Ombudsman ousts governor, 2 mayors.

(From Philippine Daily Inquirer)

Byline: Norman Bordadora and Nestor P. Burgos Jr.

ON THE EVE OF THE ELECTION PERIOD, THE Office of the Ombudsman appeared to have ended the political careers of a governor and two mayors after it found them guilty of grave misconduct.

The Ombudsman has barred the three elective

officials from getting back into government service.

In its decisions all sent to the Department of the Interior and Local Government on Jan. 12, Ombudsman Merceditas Gutierrez dismissed Iloilo Gov. Neil Tupas, Mayor Antonio Esquivel of Jaen, Nueva Ecija, and Mayor Wenceslao Peewee Trinidad of Pasay City.

Also dismissed were Trinidads fellow suspended officialsVice Mayor Antonio Calixto and eight city councilors.

[They] are hereby meted [out] the penalty of dismissal from the service [and which] shall carry with it the cancellation of …