Humphrey M. Lumawag v. Carlo V. Gamban

Summary

Municipal government employees Lumawag and Degracia were dismissed from service and filed administrative complaints against their superiors before the Ombudsman. The Ombudsman dismissed their complaints, ruling it lacked jurisdiction over the dismissal and absolving the respondents. The Supreme Court denied their petition for review for being filed late and for lack of merit. The Court held that as government employees under the Civil Service, their dismissal matters fall under Civil Service Commission jurisdiction, not the Ombudsman. When the Ombudsman absolves respondents, such decisions are final and unappealable, with certiorari being the only available remedy within 60 days. The case establishes clear jurisdictional boundaries between the Ombudsman and Civil Service Commission regarding government employee disciplinary matters.