Ombudsman Suspends Councilor Zaldy Ocon for Slapping Traffic Enforcer

The Office of the Ombudsman has ordered the six-month suspension of a Cagayan de Oro City councilor after he was found guilty of conduct prejudicial to the best interest of the service for slapping a traffic enforcer.

In a press statement on Wednesday, the Ombudsman said Councilor Zaldy Ocon will be suspended for six months without pay and may face a criminal case for violation of Article 359 (Slander by Deed) of the Revised Penal Code.

The complainant, Roads and Traffic Administration (RTA) traffic enforcer Ric Emmanuel Agustin, said he issued a traffic violation ticket against Ocon on November 30, 2016 for parking at a “no parking zone.”

Ocon threw away the ticket, which escalated the situation.

The Ombudsman said that Ocon’s actions have damaged his image as a public official. It said that Uy’s statement also established the former’s culpability.

“Records show that respondent’s actuations have tarnished the image of his public office when he slapped complainant. A public official should avoid any appearance of impropriety affecting the integrity of government services. Every public officer should be an example of integrity and proper behavior,” the Ombudsman said in its decision.