Gumabong, CEO officials to face off in SP probe
Alleged extortionist Ricardo Gumabong and top officials of the City Engineer's Office (CEO) he implicated in a widespread extortion racket now shaking the department will probably face each other in an investigation at the Sangguniang Panlungsod.
Gumabong along with CEO chief Marito Amatorio, Engr. Marcelino Umahag, OIC chief of the electrical safety division of the CEO and Imelda Aguadera, of the administrative section of the CEO were invited in the SP investigation in aid of legislation scheduled on June 22, 2006.
The SP investigation was in response to the complaint filed by Gumabong against his former department chiefs before the council. The council took cognizance of Gumabong's complaint in last Wednesday's regular session and created an Adhoc committee to conduct an investigation in "aid of legislation."
The Adhoc committee is chaired by Councilor Perla Zulueta. The other members of the Adhoc committee are Councilors Eduardo Peñaredondo, Jed Mabilog, Ely Estante, Jeffrey Ganzon, Erlinda Liberiaga, Armand Parcon and Erwin Plagata.
Gumabong's complaint to the council emanated from his failed extortion racket at the Philippine Phosphate Fertilizer Inc., Rose Pharmacy and Nissan Corporation. He went into hiding when the issue against him cropped up. His extortion try was first reported by The News Today.
When, he surfaced to give his side, Gumabong admitted of engaging in extortion racket but implicated his superior officers. An investigation was initiated by the City Legal Office (CLO) against his reported string of extortion rackets.
Until this date Gumabong did not appear or submit his affidavit to the legal office to answer the complaint against him. Instead, he filed a complaint against his superior officers and other employees of the CEO at the Sangguniang Panglungsod.
Before Gumabong surfaced, Umahag made recommendation to Amatorio to subject Gumabong in an administrative proceedings because of the number of extortion complaint against him. This prompted Gumabong to open the "can of worms" at the CEO and implicated several persons in the illegal transactions happening at the department.