DOJ probe on
Tupas, top Capitol execs subpoenaed
Governor Niel Tupas, Sr. and top Capitol officials were subpoenaed by the Department of Justice (DOJ) over a graft case filed by the Iloilo People's Graftwatch. Contained in DOJ Department Order 702, Secretary Raul Gonzalez ordered the corresponding probe as sought with preliminary investigation set Wednesday.
Named respondents along with Tupas were allies in Second District Board Member Cecilia Capadosa, Provincial Treasurer Melba Sullivan, Budget Officer Elena Lim, Provincial Accountant Lyd Tupas and Office of the Governor employee, Benjamin Dosado. The charges as lodged by the Iloilo People's Graftwatch are both criminal and administrative in nature.
The DOJ probe panel are comprised by Provincial Prosecutor Bernabe Dusaban as chairman and Senior State Prosecutor Leo Dacera as vice chairman. Members are Assistant Regional State Prosecutor Virgilio Garcia, State Prosecutor Edwin Layog and 1st Assistant Provincial Prosecutor Jaime Umpa. Lawyer Eldrid Antiquera stands as head of the DOJ probe team secretariat.
To recall, Iloilo People's Graftwatch officials retired Judge Nicolas Monteblanco and retired Judge Virgilio Sindico along with lawyer Heptie Correa and member Pio Lujan filed dishonesty, grave misconduct in office and commission of an offense involving moral turpitude against the said Capitol executives.
The case stemmed from the government funds released by the Office of the Governor now questioned for its legality and regularity. Furthermore, doubts were raised on the proper spending made by the recipient with the release involving the group.