Laguna mayor dismissed for grave misconduct — DILG - GMA Network

The Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) on Tuesday said Mayor Jomapher Uy Alvarez of Luisiana, Laguna has been dismissed from service.

In a DILG memorandum dated October 19 and confirmed by Interior and Local Government Secretary Jonvic Remulla, the Office of the Ombudsman dismissed Alvarez after finding him liable for grave misconduct.

The order mandated the forfeiture of his retirement benefits and perpetual disqualification from holding public office. Alvarez is also not allowed to take the Civil Service exams.

The decision was to be immediately implemented.

Previous reports said that in August, Alvarez was issued a 90-day preventive suspension in connection to a corruption case lodged against him.

Alvarez was accused of violating the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act after the alleged non-payment of terminal leave benefits to former Luisiana Mayor Nestor Rondilla.

Rondilla consequently lodged the complaint against Alvarez.

In an interview with Laguna-based news outlet Balita Ngayon Online, Alvarez slammed the case filed against him by Rondilla.

According to Alvarez, Rondilla had filed six cases against him in total.

One of the cases filed against him was dated December 11, 2024. It was in relation to letters asking for support for a year-end bonus Christmas party for local government officials. The contributions would have been used for the raffle prizes of employees, the dismissed mayor said.

“Wala akong kinamkam na contribution para sa aking sarili. Walang pondo ng bayan ang ginamit para sa mga nasabing premyo. HIndi po ako personal na tumukoy kung sino yung mga binigyan ng liham,” Alvarez said.

(I did not take anything for myself. No public funds were used in the prizes. I did not point out who was given letters.)

Alvarez said that the government officials deserved to feel the spirit of Christmas because of the hard work they put in.

The dismissed mayor said that he will defend himself and clear his name through the law. — VDV, GMA News