Coast Guard chief, predecessor suspended for graft
The Office of the Ombudsman ordered yesterday the suspension of Philippine Coast Guard chief Rear Admiral William Melad and 24 other incumbent and former officials of the agency for six months pending their investigation for alleged misuse of P67.5 million.
MANILA, Philippines – The Office of the Ombudsman ordered yesterday the suspension of Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) chief Rear Admiral William Melad and 24 other incumbent and former officials of the agency for six months pending their investigation for alleged misuse of P67.5 million.
Among those ordered suspended aside from Melad are his predecessor Vice Admiral Rodolfo Isorena and Rear Admiral Cecil Chen, former PCG Fleet commander.
The other respondents are Commodores Enrico Efren Evangelista Jr. and Aaron Reconquista; Commanders John Esplana, William Arquero, Jude Thaddeus Besinga, Roben de Guzman, Angel Lobaton IV, Ferdinand Panganiban, Joselito Quintas, Ivan Roldan, Rommel Supangan, George Ursabia Jr., Ferdinand Velasco, Wilfred Burgos and Allen Dalangin; Captains Joeven Fabul, Angelito Gil, Ramon Lopez, Christopher Villacorte; Lieutenants Mark Franklin Lim II and Mark Larsen Mariano, and PCG accounting head Rogelio Caguioa.
They are facing charges of grave misconduct, serious dishonesty and conduct prejudicial to the best interest of the service.
“The respondents’ respective positions allow them to wield influence on possible witnesses and to access public records, (and) their continued stay in office may not only prejudice the cases against them but also allow them to commit further acts of malfeasance,” the order signed by Ombudsman Conchita Carpio-Morales read.
Morales directed Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade to implement the preventive suspension order.
The charges stemmed from alleged irregularities in cash advances made in 2015 for the supposed purchase of office supplies and information technology equipment amounting to P67,533,289 without complying with the procurement law.
Citing a report by the Commission on Audit dated April 15, 2015, the ombudsman said the purchase was highly irregular, given the spurious liquidation documents presented by the respondents “indicating fraud and misrepresentation.”
Morales said the suspension order was in accordance with Section 24 of Republic Act 6770 or the Office of the Ombudsman Act.
Under the law, preventive suspension may be issued pending investigation if the evidence of guilt is strong and if the charges involve dishonesty, oppression or grave misconduct or neglect in the performance of duty.
PCG spokesman Commander Armand Balilo said the suspension order lowered the morale of PCG employees but they would abide by the ombudsman’s decision.
Melad is out of the country and could not be reached for comment.
Balilo said they have yet to receive a copy of the suspension order.
“We will answer the charges once we receive a copy of the suspension order,” Balilo said.
“The PCG will continue to perform its duties, particularly maritime operations, and to protect the country’s territory in Panatag Shoal,” Balilo said. – With Evelyn Macairan
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