Defensor, Suplico deny hand in Ombudsman’s order vs. Tupas
Iloilo Vice Governor Rolex Suplico and Cong. Arthur Defensor of the province’s 3rd district denied that they have anything to do with the Office of the Ombudsman’s decision ordering the dismissal of Iloilo Governor Niel Tupas.
Defensor just laughed at Tupas’ allegation that he, along with 4th district Cong. Ferj Biron, used his connection in Malacañang against the governor.
“Kung amo na ang komentaryo niya, dako ina nga insulto sa Ombudsman,” he said citing that the Ombudsman is an independent and constitutional body.
Defensor, who is running for governor against Tupas’ son, Barotac Viejo Mayor Raul Tupas, said that no government agency, even the President, could control or dictate the Ombudsman.
“The cases filed against Gov. Tupas are results of the investigation we conducted on the Committee (on Good Governance). It was not borne out because we were running after him,” he explained.
In fact, Defensor claimed that he was disappointed by the Ombudsman’s action not rendering the decision a little later.
He said that they submitted that Committee report last 2007 but the Ombudsman only acted very recently.
However, “although, I am disappointed of the delay, I feel vindicated that we proved that our Committee report has basis.”
It was gathered that the administrative order for Tupas’ dismissal might not be implemented because the decision was rendered only after the 2007 elections.
But Defensor is confident that the Sandiganbayan will act favorably on the criminal aspect of the case.
“The evidence is strong. There is a clear violation of the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act,” he added.
Aside from the said case, Tupas also faces a case for violation of the Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards of Public Officials.
Meanwhile, Suplico claimed that Tupas, his uncle, is just making stories when he accused him of having a hand in the dismissal order.
“I have nothing to do with the case filed against him. I hope he would look into the parties involved in the filing of the case,” he said adding that he already knew of the Ombudsman order through an online report and from newspapers.
Suplico, who wants to reclaim the congressional seat at the Iloilo’s fourth district against Tupas’ son, re-electionist Niel, Jr., also acknowledged that Tupas might indeed go scot-free as far as administrative sanctions are concerned.
On that note, the vice governor claimed that the Ombudsman favored Tupas because it delayed the decision.
“Let the law take its course. Let the wheel of justice grind. At this point in time, he should face the case. It should be between the Ombudsman and the Tupas family,” he added.
After the decision was made known, Tupas quickly pointed out that dismissal order is illegal since it was done less than a month before the May 10 elections.
“They did not follow the law because the case was filed before the elections and I won in the election. According to the Aguinaldo Doctrine, all those administrative cases are considered obliterated or extinguished,” he added.
On Tuesday, the Ombudsman ordered Tupas’s dismissal because the governor “ acted in bad faith and disregard of the law” when he approved the industrial sand and gravel permit (ISAG) in favor of businessman Melvin Requinto in 2004 to supply aggregates for the construction of the New Iloilo Airport.
Some allegations came out the Requinto was a mere dummy of the company owned by the Montesclaros of Bukidnon.
It was gathered that Raul Tupas is married to Binky Montesclaros, daughter of Marianito Montesclaros who is the stockholder and director or M. Montesclaros Enterprises Inc.,–the company that worked for Requinto in running the quarry operations.
Doubts also clouded the giving of permit because the Melvin Requinto Industrial Sand and Gravel Crushing Plant got the permit to operate a quarry company despite its lack of experience and necessary equipment to conduct such operations.
