DOJ, Ombudsman clash over Lipa mayor’s case

MANILA, Philippines – The Department of Justice (DOJ) clashed with the Office of the Ombudsman over a legal battle between Lipa City Mayor Meynardo Sabili and his former clients in a land dispute case.

After the Ombudsman ordered Sabili suspended over an administrative case filed last year by his 10 former clients led by Oscar Camerino, the DOJ ruled in favor of the mayor and ordered Camerino indicted.

The cases involved a property in Victoria Homes in Tunasan, Muntinlupa City.

In a seven-page resolution released earlier this week, the DOJ found probable cause to file an estafa case against Camerino.

Investigation showed Camerino and the owners of three parcels of land hired Sabili in 2009 to be their lawyer in a land dispute.

In October 2009, Camerino and the property owners agreed to split the disputed property with Sabili after payments to other parties were made.

Camerino signed a guarantee with Sabili in March 2010, pledging not to dispose of or sell the property.

“Despite the guarantee, Camerino sold the land to Felicidad Ong, making him liable for the crime of estafa,” the DOJ said.

The DOJ ruling appeared to contradict the Ombudsman, which found Sabili guilty of conduct prejudicial to the best interest of the service and ordered him suspended for nine months.

The anti-graft agency said Sabili, who was elected mayor in 2010, allegedly harassed and threatened Camerino and the property owners.

Sabili raised the case to the Court of Appeals, which has yet to act on his petition for issuance of a temporary restraining order.

He said the Muntinlupa prosecutor’s office had dismissed the grave threats filed against him by Camerino’s group.