31/03/2014
Ombudsman decision on 9 Capitol officials' dismissal case reversed by CA
By Michael R. Cigaral
BALANGA CITY, Bataan -- The Court of Appeals (CA) recently granted the petitions filed by ten provincial capitol officials who were previously dismissed by the Office of the Ombudsman for "lack of substantial evidence" in relation to a case on the controversial purchase of a patrol boat nine years ago.
Attorney Aurelio "Joey" Angeles, Provincial Legal Officer and Acting Provincial Administrator, confirmed to this reporter that the petitions filed by the capitol's Bids and Awards Committee (BAC) officials along with other respondents were granted by the CA.
Earlier, a two-page order (OMB-C-A-08-0659-L) was released by Ombudsman Conchita Carpio-Morales who signed the 1st Indorsement last January 6, 2014 and told the office of DILG Secretary Manuel “Mar” Roxas II to inform her within five days from receipt of the order if it has been effected.
Ordered dismissed were Rodolfo de Mesa, provincial administrator and acting Balanga city administrator; Imelda Inieto, provincial agriculturist; Alicia Magpantay, provincial accountant, Emerlinda Talento, provincial treasurer; Ludivina Banzon, acting general services office (GSO) chief; Enrico Yuzon, provincial engineer; Evangeline Diaz, retired department head of GSO; Godofredo De Guzman, chief of the environment and natural resources office (ENRO); Pedro Baluyot, retired supply officer; and, Francisco Caparas, acting municipal treasury chief of Limay town.
The above-mentioned officials were found guilty in connection with the purchase of a patrol boat – a six-cylinder gas engine – which turned out to be a four-cylinder one – worth P142,500 last January 24, 2006 as stated in a document from the Office of the Ombudsman dated August 13, 2012.
"Actually we filed five appeals to the CA. One for BAC officials namely Talento, Engr. De Guzman, Ludy Banzon, and Yuzon; one appeal for Magpantay; one appeal for Inieto; one for Caparas as inspector; and, one for De Mesa," Angeles said.
Based on the documents gathered by the local press here, among the five petitions filed only four were granted, thus, nine officials were exonerated by the CA except De Mesa.
The petition of Pedro Baluyot and Evangeline Diaz, both retired capitol employees involved in the purchase of boats, were also granted by the CA.
The case against former governor now second district Congressman Enrique Garcia, Jr., Orion Mayor Antonio Raymundo, Jr. and fisheries division chief of the Office of the Provincial Agriculturist Danilo Abrera was earlier dismissed by the Ombudsman.
"We are confident that De Mesa will be exonerated too just like the others. Rudy has no actual participation in the purchase of boat except he signed the check in behalf of the governor," Angeles stressed.