Guv, 4 other top Capitol aides face graft raps anew
Atty.Cabaluna
Graft raps were lodged anew against Iloilo Governor Niel Tupas Sr. and four of his top executives in the Capitol.
Officially received Thursday by the Office of the Ombudsman in the Visayas, the graft complaint was initiated and filed by retired Judge Virgilio Sindico of the People's Graftwatch of Iloilo.
Members of the 9th Iloilo Sanggunian Panlalawigan (SP) were informed yesterday of the latest graft complaint with the matter up for discussion in today's special session.
"In consideration of the 2008 Annual Budget for the Province of Iloilo, I would like to inform that Criminal and Administrative Complaints have been filed with the Office of the Ombudsman for the Visayas against officials of the Provincial Government of Iloilo named as respondents therein for violations of Articles 27, 177, 217, 171 (4) of the Revised Penal Code, Sec. 3 (a), RA 3019 P.D. (Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act and Sec. 103 P.D. 1445 (Government Auditing Code of the Philippines)," Sindico in his letter to the SP went.
As such, a request was made for the SP body to delete budget appropriation for the position of Provincial Legal Officer which was the main subject of the graft charges.
Sindico pointed out the declaration made by the Civil Service Commission (CSC) that said post has been deemed vacant. This as he went on to decry alleged usurpation that has happened since then.
"...and to prevent further dissipation of public funds, a corresponding appropriation for such position be deleted from the budget under consideration. Otherwise, the member ignoring this official representation may not be spared of from any consequences that may arise therefrom," the letter continued.
Respondents alongside Governor Tupas are Capitol lawyer Salvador Cabaluna III, Executive Assistant Levi Buenavista, Budget Officer Elena Lim and Human Resource Development Officer Alma Ravena.
Cabaluna was identified in the complaint as "a resident of Leon, Iloilo Province but stays at the Provincial Capitol, Iloilo City."
The charges as lodged before the government's anti-graft body stemmed from the yet to be resolved legal issue on whether the non-reappointment of Cabaluna is just and proper. Sindico and fellow members of the People's Graftwatch believe otherwise.
"Despite thereof, respondent Salvador Cabaluna III as a lawyer at that knew all along that his term as co-terminus had already expired as of June 30, 2007 but in total disregard of law, in collusion, conspiracy, display of arrogance and abuse of power and authority of respondent Gov. Niel D. Tupas Sr., Atty. Salvador Cabaluna III continued and prolonged the performance of duties and powers...." excerpts of the graft complaint as obtained by The News Today (TNT) went.
The other Capitol officials named in the Criminal and Administrative raps were jointly held responsible by the complainants particularly Budget Officer Lim and HRMDO's Ravena and charged with falsification by making untruthful statements in a narration of facts.