Final verdict on Gumabong's case rests on Treñas
The ball is now in the hands of City Mayor Jerry P. Treñas.
The City Legal Office (CLO) finally submitted the result of their fact-finding investigation on City Hall employee Ricardo Gumabong to Treñas last Wednesday but the mayor is still in Manila.
CLO recommended the filing of administrative and criminal charges against Gumabong after finding a "prima facie" case that he engaged in extortion activities.
However, CLO chief Edgardo Gil said the filing of administrative and criminal cases against Gumabong depends on Mayor Treñas.
The Ombudsman Visayas has already taken interest in Gumabong's case and has ordered the CLO to update them about the investigation.
CLO found that Gumabong committed usurpation of official functions when he presented himself to be an electrical inspector authorized to conduct inspections on establishments without being so authorized and not withstanding a cease and desist order. A memorandum order from the City Engineers Office was handed down against Gumabong to conduct inspections on the establishments.
Gumabong is not already assigned with the CEO when he presented himself as electrical inspector to the different establishments. In various inspection communication sent to different establishments, Gumabong was the lone signatory in the letter. When he represented himself as electrical inspector, he was already detailed at either the Boarding House Commission (BHC) and the Special Services Unit (SSU).
Further, the fact-finding team said the testimonial and documentary evidence presented undoubtedly proved that Gumabong either tried to benefit or actually benefited from those transactions where he asked payments payable to his name. The foregoing acts of Gumabong made him liable for conduct prejudicial to the best interest of the service, report said.
The fact-finding team have in their possession copies of letters for the Annual Electrical Inspection and As Built Plan. The communications for the Annual Electrical Inspection were addressed to Nissan, Philippine Phosphate Fertilizer Inc. while the as built plan evidence came from the Rose Pharmacy.
The same fact-finding report also touched on Gumabong's license as master electrician. The Professional Regulations Commission (PRC) head office recently came up with a certification questioning the validity of Gumabong's license since his name is not included in the master list of master electricians who passed the licensure exam last September 2, 1979.
The report said " Gumabong committed falsification by using falsified PRC Report rating allegedly pertaining to him in order to make it appear that he passed the Master Electrical Licensure Examination given by PRC."
With his action, the legal office said Gumabong is administratively liable for falsification of official document and dishonesty. The report further said Gumabong is liable for estafa by falsely pretending to possess the qualifications for an electrical inspector which he did not have as he is not a master electrician of holder of PRC license for such profession.
The PRC verified the name of Gumabong on the list of passers for the master electrician licensure examination upon the request of Engr. Marcelino Umahag, OIC chief of the electrical division of the CEO. Umahag along with CEO chief Engr. Marito Amatorio and other CEO employees were also accused by Gumabong of engaging in illegal transactions at the engineers office.