Court Ruling
The Temuco Court of Appeals has upheld the dismissal of Mabel Llanos Riquelme, the former Director of Administration and Finance for the Municipality of Collipulli. The appellate court rejected the protection appeal filed by the former official, through which she had sought to overturn the mayoral decree that terminated her employment on September 17, 2025.
Grounds for Dismissal
Llanos Riquelme’s termination followed an internal administrative investigation conducted by the municipality, which confirmed that she had used medical leave to engage in activities unrelated to her recovery. Evidence presented in the case showed that the former director was spotted at the Casino del Mar and took trips abroad while officially on medical leave.
Legal Arguments
In her filing before the First Chamber of the Court of Appeals, the former official alleged various irregularities in the disciplinary process. Llanos Riquelme challenged the mayor’s authority to impose disciplinary sanctions and claimed she was not properly notified during the investigation, which she argued violated her right to a defense.
Furthermore, the appellant questioned the impartiality of Mayor Manuel Macaya, arguing that he should have recused himself from the proceedings due to previous legal disputes between them. However, the appellate judges dismissed these arguments, finding no evidence of illegality or arbitrary conduct by the municipal administration.
Municipal Response
Collipulli Mayor Manuel Macaya welcomed the court's decision, reaffirming the local government's stance on the misconduct. According to the mayor, the ruling validates the firm approach taken by the municipality, emphasizing that the process was conducted in full compliance with current regulations.
“This confirms the serious breach of integrity that occurred when she traveled abroad and visited casinos while on medical leave. It demonstrates that we acted with firmness, responsibility, and total adherence to the law,” Macaya stated following the court's decision. With this ruling, the administrative and legal avenues pursued by the former director to regain her position at the municipal office have been closed.
