The Office of the Ombudsman has ordered the dismissal of former Senate acting sergeant-at-arms Mao Aplasca from government service, citing grave misconduct and gross neglect of duty related to the May 13 shooting incident inside the Senate premises. Ombudsman Jesus Crispin Remulla announced the dismissal publicly on July 4, saying he signed the dismissal order on June 29, with the decision to be released later that week. Subsequent reporting states the Ombudsman’s decision is dated June 25 and spans 18 pages.
The Ombudsman’s findings and the specific charges mentioned across outlets center on Aplasca’s alleged conduct and performance in connection with the May 13 gunfire inside the upper chamber. One outlet reports that the dismissal carries accessory penalties including cancellation of eligibility, forfeiture of retirement benefits, and perpetual disqualification from re-employment in government service.
Aplasca says he plans to appeal, arguing that the Ombudsman did not consider all evidence before imposing the suspension and subsequent dismissal. The case remains under review through his planned appeal.
