Amatorio, Umahag have shares in all my transactions, says Gumabong
Like a slippery snake, alleged extortionist Ricardo Gumabong wanted to escape from the complaint against him by redirecting the attention of the City Legal Office (CLO) to the involvement of top officials of the City Engineer's Office (CEO) in alleged illegal transactions.
In last Thursday's investigation at the CLO, Gumabong again implicated City Engineer Marito Amatorio and Engr. Marcelino Umahag, CEO's OIC for safety and electrical division, in his transaction with Rose Pharmacy.
The pharmacy paid Gumabong P20,000 for the processing of their electrical permit.
During the investigation, Gumabong admitted he received P20,000 from Rose Pharmacy. He, however said out of the P20,000, he gave P9,000 to Amatorio and P6,000 to Umahag. The remaining P5,000 was left to him which he allegedly used for the processing of the electrical permit.
In last week's probe, Alice Lasdoce and another employee of the Rose Pharmacy were present and were able to see Gumabong again. The Rose Pharmacy have already furnished the CLO photocopies of the checks they issued to Gumabong.
Gumabong also told the CLO that Amatorio and Umahag have shares in all his illegal transactions. Other than Rose Pharmacy, Gumabong also figured in two failed extortion attempts at the Philippine Phosphate Fertilizer Inc. and Nissan Corporation.
Meanwhile, Umahag denied the allegations of Gumabong.
"How could we become brains in all the illegal transactions of Gumabong when it is he himself who signs in the inspection notice and the billing," Umahag argued.
Umahag, in an interview with Bombo Radyo said he will refer the matter to his lawyer as Gumabong's declaration is so damaging to him.
Umahag said people who do not know him might believe that he is indeed involved in illegal transactions at the CEO.
Umahag admitted that he is personally affected by the accusations thrown by Gumabong against him.
He said Gumabong has been dragging his name since the latter's extortion activities at the CEO was exposed.