DAVAO CITY — The Office of the Ombudsman slapped Davao Oriental Board Member Nelson Restor Dayanghirang Jr. with one year suspension without pay over a mauling incident which happened in 2018 while he was considered barangay Captain-elect of Zaragosa, Manay, Davao Oriental.
In a 7-page decision rendered by Graft Investigation and Prosecution Officer Kathleen Sheelah Uy-Alcober which was approved by Assistant Ombudsman Jose Balmeo, Jr. Dayanghirang Jr. was found “guilty of conduct prejudicial to the best interest of the service and disgraceful and immoral conduct prior to entering the service.”
Dayanghirang Jr., was elected board member during the May 12, 2022 elections. He is the son of then Governor Nelson Dayanghirang who now serves as Representative of the province first legislative district.
The case against Dayanghirang Jr. stemmed from the complaint filed by one Khen Ryan Salandron who claimed the son of the then governor mauled him on June 2, 2018 while they were enjoying a party at Lanes, Kalapayaan in Dahican Mati City.
When the incident happened Dayanghirang Jr. was considered Barangay Captain-Elect since he has yet to take his oath.
The case against Dayanghirang Jr. was docketed OMB-M-A-18-0593. The decision was rendered on November 20, 2019 which was received by the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) XI on July 29, 2022.
Alex Roldan, the DILG XI regional director told Newsline “When we received the order we forwarded it to the Central Office because it should be the DILG Central Office which will issue an order to us to implement the order from the Ombudsman. So, on August 11, when we received the order from DILG Central Office, we implemented it because we were only given 72-houras to serve it.”
In his affidavit complaint before the Ombudsman, Salandron said he tried to fight back but Dayanghirang’s companion held him as the then barangay captain-elect kept punching him while one of them brandished a handgun.
Salandran submitted photographs, medical certificates , police blotter and affidavits of his witnesses before the Office of the Ombudsman when he filed his complaint.
The Ombudsman found Nelson Restor Dayanghrang Jr, “guilty of conduct prejudicial to the best interest of the service and disgraceful and immoral conduct prior to entering the service.”
The Ombudsman imposed one year suspension without pay against Dayanghirang Jr.
Given the absence of the Daynghirang at the Sangguniang panlalawigan, Roldan said “With the suspension, the Governor will appoint another person from her own political party to temporarily replace Dayanghirang Jr.”
Records from the Ombudsman showed, Dayanghirang Jr. opined that the Ombudsman does not have the jurisdiction over his case because he was yet to take his oath when he was charged.
The affidavit of then Governor Nelson Dayanghirang Sr. and one Manuel Manuay showed that Dayanghirang Jr. took his oath as barangay captain on June 30, 2018 and the incident happened on June 2.
But the Ombudsman’s decision stated that at that time Dayanghirang Jr., was already considered barangay Captain-elect.
