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PALOMPON, Leyte — Dismissed mayor Ramon Oñate is facing criminal charges of malversation through falsification of public documents and violating the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act.
Oñate, along with 13 others, has been urged to face the court after missing a scheduled arraignment on April 24, 2025.
Mayoral candidate Georgina Arevalo called for the issuance of a bench warrant against Oñate and the other respondents, citing their failure to attend the arraignment as a sign of disrespect for the court.
IN HOT WATER Mayoral candidate Georgina Arevalo holds a copy of the undertaking signed by former mayor Ramon Oñate, who faces criminal charges for malversation through falsification of public documents and violating the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act. PHOTO BY KAISER JAN FUENTES
"They should be issued a bench warrant because their failure to appear shows disrespect for the court proceedings. It's a display of disrespect for the judge," Arevalo told reporters on Thursday.
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Arevalo, who also served as a mayor, also expressed concern that Oñate might attempt to flee the country, as he had the means to pay bail.
"If he has the capacity to pay bail, he also has the capacity to leave the country," averred Arevalo.
The charges against Oñate and the others stem from alleged financial misconduct during Oñate's term as mayor.
In a recent campaign speech, Oñate denied the accusations, calling them politically motivated.
Oñate's legal troubles also include an administrative case where the Ombudsman found him guilty of grave misconduct and dishonesty for misappropriating public funds to purchase fuel for decommissioned vehicles.
The criminal cases against Oñate and the others remain pending before the Regional Trial Court.
Despite these, Oñate still joined the mayoral race. Oñate and his daughter, DM, filed their certificates of candidacy for Palompon mayor, running against Arevalo.
Last March, arrest warrants were issued, prompting Oñate and the other respondents to post bail of P72,000 and P90,000 for their cases, while also signing an undertaking and waiver of appearance.
The undertaking requires signatories to appear in court as ordered or face a bench warrant and forfeited bond. Failure to attend without justification may result in a trial in absentia.
Oñate and his co-accused failed to appear for their scheduled arraignment last Thursday (April 24), and Oñate's lawyer, Gerenstein Banzon, explained that they had filed a motion to quash the charges.
The judge rescheduled the arraignment for June 5 and gave the Ombudsman five days to comment on the motion.
Arevalo views the non-appearance of Oñate and the others as a deliberate delaying tactic aimed at buying time before the May elections.
She believes that their actions could be an attempt to regain political power. Arevalo emphasized the need to ensure that justice is upheld, irrespective of the political status of those involved.
