Negros governor seeks dismissal of charges

MANILA, Philippines -  Citing the “inordinate delay” in resolving the complaints, Negros Oriental Gov. Roel Degamo has asked the Sandiganbayan to dismiss the cases filed against him in connection with the alleged misuse of calamity funds.

In a motion dated March 30, Degamo noted that the complaints were filed on Oct. 29, 2013, but the Office of the Ombudsman issued a resolution finding probable cause to file charges only on May 25, 2016. It was only last January when the cases were filed before the Sandiganbayan.

“The Office of the Ombudsman took its own sweet time to terminate the preliminary investigation and lodge the information in court, unmindful of the fact that in the interim, accused had to endure the agony of an uncertain future,” the motion read.

Degamo, provincial treasurer Danilo Mendez and accountant Teodorico Reyes are facing 11 counts of malversation of public funds through falsification of public documents.?

The cases stemmed from the  award of 11 infrastructure contracts amounting to P143 million despite a notice from the Department of Budget and Management that it had recalled the Special Allotment Release Order over the failure of the provincial government to comply with the requirements and guidelines.

On Wednesday, Degamo filed a complaint before the Department of Justice against some ombudsman officials and investigators for ordering his dismissal twice in connection with the cases.

He said the respondents also violated the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act for dismissing him despite the condonation or Aguinaldo doctrine, which extinguishes the administrative liability of a reelected official.

Degamo posted bail of P2.3 million after the Sandiganbayan Third Division ordered his arrest early this year.