Ombud dismisses homeowners' case

CEBU, Philippines - Saying it has no jurisdiction over the case, the Office of the Ombudsman-Visayas dismissed the complaints filed by the elected members of the Board of Directors of La Paloma Homeowners Association Incorporation.

Graft investigator Amy Rose Soler-Rellin dismissed the complaints for unjust interlocutory order or Article 206 of the Revised Penal Code, offending the religious feelings or article 133 of the Revised Penal Code and violation of Republic Act 3019 known as Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act.

Named respondents were Regional Officer Roy Alexis Lopez and legal section head Gonzalo Tumulak of the Housing and Land Use Regulatory Board (HLURB)-7; Marife Doblada of housing and land use arbiter of HLURB Quezon City and two private individuals Nicanor Trinidad and Dalmacio Julio Jr. both from La Paloma Subdivision Tisa, Cebu City.

In the complaint filed by Teresito Pasculado, Elpidio Go, Melche Caudor, Loreto Echica, Teresita Hobson, Emma Montesclaros and Damian Alatraca Jr. they alleged that the private individuals padlocked their chapel causing “offensive” to their “feelings and sentiments.”

However, Rellin ruled that their office has no jurisdiction over the incident as the respondents concerned were not public officials and in the said actuations, the respondent public officials did not participate and conspired with the private individuals.

Rellin likewise dismissed the cases for RA 3019, RA 6713, Abuse of Authority, Oppression and Misconduct for being “prematurely filed.”

She said she cannot intervene with the case as it was pending before the HLURB.

In the complaint filed, the complainants said that Trinidad insisted on being president despite not having been elected. — (FREEMAN)