Ombudsman penalizes current, former Cebu City mayors for administrative violations

MANILA — The Office of the Ombudsman has moved against both the sitting and former leadership of Cebu City, issuing administrative penalties for what it determined were breaches of duty and regulations.

Current Mayor Archival was fined one month's salary by the Ombudsman's office in connection with a night market operation on Colon Street. The agency found administrative culpability in the mayor's handling of the commercial activity, which the Ombudsman determined lacked proper authorization or oversight.

Meanwhile, Garcia, who previously served as Cebu City mayor, was sanctioned separately for his role in permitting unauthorized cockfighting operations at a hotel within the city. The Ombudsman determined that Garcia's administration failed to prevent or properly regulate the illegal "sabong" activities conducted on his watch.

Both cases underscore the Ombudsman's ongoing scrutiny of local government officials' compliance with regulations governing business permits, public safety, and the prohibition of illegal gambling activities. The sanctions represent administrative findings rather than criminal charges, though they carry implications for the officials' service records and government conduct.