Gumabong snubs probe on alleged extortion activities
Controversial City Hall employee Ricardo Gumabong did not show up in the first day of investigation over his reported string of extortion activities held yesterday at the City Legal Office (CLO).
Ironically, this writer, who first broke the story on Gumabong's foiled racket, was the first to submit an affidavit to the CLO. This writer was among those summoned by the CLO for investigation.
Gumabong failed to show up in yesterday's investigation despite the fact that he was sent with an official notice. He did not send any notice to the CLO whether he would attend or not the investigation.
A source said Gumabong was seen talking to some city employees at the old Commission on Audit (COA) building while the investigation was going on.
The investigation was led by CLO chief Atty. Edgar Gil. The other members of the fact-finding committee are Atty. Mila Hechanova and Atty. Jose Daduros.
The investigation was called for by Mayor Jerry Treñas following the reported attempt of Gumabong to extort a fertilizer firm.
Gumabong also did not submit his affidavit to the legal office. Last week, Gumabong made public his sworn affidavit detailing his answer to the reported attempt to extort Philippine Phosphate Fertilizer Corp. and the alleged anomalies at the City Engineer's Office. In the said affidavit, Gumabong implicated top officials of the City Engineer's Office in the alleged illegal transactions.
In earlier interviews Gumabong also declared that he is willing to face any investigation.
The other major players in the investigation, representatives from the Philippine Phosphate Corp. and Rose Pharmacy, also requested the investigating team to excuse them in yesterday's investigation since they are still preparing their affidavits. They are going to face the investigating body in this Thursday's probe.
It was also learned that Ms. Marissa Segovia of the Nissan Corp. has expressed her intention to execute an affidavit to the investigating panel. She was reportedly one of Gumabong's victims.
This reporter appeared in the investigation and handed a sworn statement to the probe team. The statement revolves on how the writer came up with a story on Gumabong's attempt to extort Philippine Phosphate Corp.
City Engineer Marito Amatorio and Engr. Marcelino Umahag, OIC chief of the safety and electrical division of the CEO also appeared in the investigation. They also did not submit any sworn statement to the investigating team.
According to Gil, they "could not compel" Gumabong to appear in the investigation. His non-appearance is only a manifestation that "he has waived his right to defend himself," he said.
Gil said the committee will come up with their recommendation with or without Gumabong's affidavit or appearance.
He added that Amatorio and Umahag were only invited to appear and "are not subject" of the investigation. The two will only become the subject of the investigation should Gumabong will also file a complaint against the two officials of the CEO.
The CLO chief said if Gumabong has all the evidence to prove his allegations against Amatorio and Umahag, he can write the chief executive and ask for an investigation.
If the mayor sees that Gumabong's request warrants an investigation, then the city mayor will order the CLO to conduct a separate investigation, Gil said.
Meanwhile, The News Today learned that Gumabong was recalled from the Special Services Unit (SSU) back to the CEO, the original office where he was assigned before being detailed to SSU.