Complaint for nepotism filed against the mayor

CEBU CITY — A barangay official has filed a nepotism complaint with the Ombudsman against the mayor of Borbon City, Cebu province, accusing him of appointing his wife to a municipal position without proper authorization.

The complaint was filed by village chief Margarito Ornopia Jr. of Barangay Don Gregorio Antigua against Borbon Mayor Noel Dotillos.

Ornopia alleged that the mayor violated the anti-graft and corruption law by hiring his wife, Dr. Corazon Dotillos, as a municipal health consultant after his retirement.

Ornopia claimed the appointment was made without city council approval and that Dr. Dotillos’ consulting contract had been renewed several times, most recently from April to October 2024.

The barangay captain argued that the continued employment of the mayor’s wife, although the council had recommended another candidate for the position, violated hiring laws and resulted in undue financial advantages, including a daily wage of P3,500.

He requests the preventive suspension of the mayor as well as the filing of administrative and criminal complaints against him.

Mayor Dotillos, however, defended his decision, saying his wife’s hiring fell within the exemptions provided by nepotism laws.

He stressed that the law allows such exemptions in cases involving doctors, teachers, people in confidential positions and military personnel.

He also suggested the complaint was politically motivated, saying similar accusations had been made against him in previous election campaigns.

Dotillos, who is running for vice mayor in the 2025 election while his son Nico campaigns for mayor, dismissed the issue as part of the political maneuvering that often occurs during election time.

“What to expect? Eleksyon na gyud hapit! Sukad pa ni sa 2016 ning iyang mga reklamo — naanad nalang ko (The elections are close! These complaints have been happening since 2016 — I just got used to it!),” Dotillos said said Friday, expressing his belief that the timing of the complaint is not a coincidence.

Despite the accusations, Dotillos remains convinced that his actions were within legal bounds and viewed the complaint as yet another politically charged attack aimed at undermining his administration.