Ombudsman OKs criminal, administrative raps vs. San Roque officials

CEBU, Philippines - The Office of the Ombudsman-Visayas has already upgraded into formal criminal and administrative investigation the complaint filed against San Roque (Ciudad) barangay captain Rogelio Ruizo and his subordinate barangay officials for alleged graft.

Ombudsman supervising graft investigator Euphemia Bacalso ordered Ruizo, together with councilmen Florentino Mauping Jr., Julieta Balcon, Leonardo Pepito, Julius Mendoza, Mario Pamolarco, Alex Sillos and Sanguniang Kabataan chairman April Jane Salas to submit their individual formal counter-affidavits within 10 days upon receipt of the formal notices.

Their case stemmed from the complaint filed by councilman Lidiore Miranda who claimed that his fellow barangay officials committed questionable activities by spending barangay funds for projects intended for disabled persons and prepared documents that showed that among those who attended were persons who died several years ago.

Bacalso said after conducting the pre-charge investigation, it was found out that there is enough basis to proceed with the criminal and administrative investigation of the case that is why she ordered the respondents to submit their respective counter-affidavits and other controvert evidence.

The respondents were also ordered to provide Miranda copies of their counter-affidavits and to submit to the Ombudsman their proof of service because the complainant may also submit his reply to their counter-affidavit within 10 days.

“Failure to comply as herein directed within the period prescribed by the rules shall be deemed a waiver of the right to present the party’s counter-affidavit or reply-affidavit and the investigation shall proceed according to existing rules,” the Ombudsman warned the respondents.

The graft investigator further said that motion to dismiss, motion for bill of particulars and similar dilatory motions are prohibited pleadings and shall be stricken off the records of the cases.

Mayor Tomas Osmeña earlier said the Ombudsman and the Commission on Audit should look into the case and come up with its findings on the reported anomalies allegedly committed by the officials of San Roque.

Among the documents that Miranda used to support his complaint against Ruizo and his fellow barangay officials is the attendance sheet that showed that former barangay captain Telesforo Rabaya, who died of cardiac arrest last March 3, 2004, was listed as attending a week-long activity organized by the respondents for disabled persons from July 17 to 23, 2009.

The documents that Miranda obtained from the Department of the Interior and Local Government showed that the late barangay captain even took the food and snacks that were served during the event.

Some of those disabled persons whose names were listed as among those who attended the event already executed affidavits and said their signatures were just forged and supported Miranda’s request for an immediate investigation of the case.

Miranda believed that his fellow barangay officials just fabricated the documents submitted to the DILG to justify the spending of the P14,000 budget for the event, when in reality there was no actual activity for the disabled persons in their barangay. — Rene U. Borromeo/BRP   (FREEMAN NEWS)