Ombudsman finds former Bohol exec guilty of ‘serious dishonesty’

TAGBILARAN CITY, BOHOL, Philippines — The Office of the Ombudsman has found former Bohol provincial board member Vierna Mae Boniel-Maglasang guilty of “serious dishonesty,” thereby imposing a penalty of dismissal from service.

In a news release on Thursday, the agency said it also imposed on Maglasang the accessory penalties of cancellation of eligibility, perpetual disqualification from holding public office, being barred from taking civil service examinations, and forfeiture of her retirement benefits.

The case stemmed from a complaint filed by Bohol 3rd district Board Member Dionisio Joseph Balite, alleging that Maglasang used 100 liters of gasoline allocated for a government vehicle in 2024 for private vehicles.

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READ: Duero mayor steps down after Ombudsman dismissal order

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In its 13-page decision, the Ombudsman found Maglasang guilty of two counts of serious dishonesty, saying her act of charging fuel expenses for a vehicle not covered by the authorized government fuel allocation system “clearly demonstrates intent to circumvent established accounting and auditing rules” and an intent to obtain material gain that all constitute acts related to graft and corruption.

In the agency’s news release, Ombudsman Jesus Crispin Remulla said that Maglasang’s case should serve as a warning for government officials and employees against using public resources for private purposes.

“Acts like this destroy the image of (the) government,” Remulla said.

The Inquirer sought Maglasang’s reaction to the Ombudsman ruling, but she had not responded as of Thursday afternoon. Last year, Maglasang told journalists that the allegations against her by Balite were just “a figment of his imagination” and were allegedly made to politically harass her because she was a critic of Gov. Erico Aristotle Aumentado.

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Maglasang joined politics in 2019, after then-President Rodrigo Duterte appointed her to replace her brother, Niño Rey Boniel, who resigned after being detained in connection with the alleged killing of his wife, former Bien Unido Mayor Gisela Bendong-Boniel, in 2017.

Maglasang was later elected to the provincial board representing the second legislative district in the 2019 and 2022 elections. She failed to secure another term in 2025. /cb