Will SP probe CEO officials, employees?
Will the Sangguniang Panlungsod (SP) give credence to the complaint of alleged extortionist Ricardo Gumabong against officials and employees of the City Engineer's Office (CEO) for gross anomalies and irregularities and violation of Anti-graft and Corrupt Practices Act?
This question cropped up following Gumabong's filing of formal complaint against officials of the CEO last week amidst an ongoing investigation against him at the City Legal Office.
Last week, Gumabong formally filed with the SP his complaint for gross anomalies and irregularities and violation of Anti-graft and Corrupt Practices Act against City Engineer Marito Amatorio, Engr. Marcelino Umahag, OIC chief of the safety and electrical division of the CEO, Imelda Aguadera, CEO's administrative officer, a casual employee identified only as certain Cadiz and personnel assigned at the building permits application.
Gumabong's complaint dated June 8,2006 was addressed to the presiding officer and members of the Sangguniang Panlungsod. His letter of complaint is set to be tackled on June 14's regular session of the city council.
In his complaint, Gumabong requested the council to conduct an investigation against the officials and employees of the CEO in the "name of truth, justice and good governance." The complaint was accompanied by by an affidavit.
His affidavit centered on the anomalies haunting the CEO, from the selling of halogen lamps, electrical tapes, wirings and electrical supplies. He also accused his superiors of tolerating the occurrence of anomalies in their office.
Gumabong, who went on leave after his detail order at the Special Services Unit was canceled by Mayor Jerry Treñas, also claimed that Umahag has his own private office at the Jamora building in Valeria Street, City Proper. Umahag is allegedly in-charge of the electrical matters of the Jamora building and that any other electrical inspectors from the CEO are prohibited to conduct inspection on the said edifice.
Gumabong also said employees assigned at the CEO are "no longer doing their work as employees of the CEO but are already acting as fixers who will only move if given grease money by the applicant."
However, Gumabong's accusations are only based on his "personal knowledge." As to date, he has no material evidence to back up his accusations against his superior officers.
If Majority Floor Leader Eduardo Peñaredondo is to be asked, he will wait for the result of the recommendation of the City Legal Office (CLO) before dipping his hand on the controversy which tainted the CEO.
He said there should be coordinated efforts between the different offices of the city government. "It is not good if the legal office and the city council will have a contradicting stand over Gumabong's case," he said.
"We belong to one government with one direction and one policy," he added.
Councilor Ely Estante, meanwhile, said they have to take steps in dealing with Gumabong's complaint before the city council. He said Gumabong needs to present supporting evidences to make his statement credible because he has implicated several people in the alleged illegal transactions at the CEO.
Estante said Gumabong's complaint will probably be referred to the committee on good government chaired by Councilor Jose Espinosa III. Espinosa is still in the United States.
On his part, Councilor Armand Parcon said he is willing to participate in the conduct of the investigation on Gumabong's complaint should the entire council decides to tackle the matter.