'Citizens of Ombudsman' file criminal, admin raps vs guv, top aides
Top officials of the Iloilo Provincial Government starting off with no less than Governor Niel Tupas Sr. made it in the 'opening salvo' of the Office of the Ombudsman as respondent government officials.
This, as four criminal and administrative complaints were filed here by two members of the People's Graftwatch of Iloilo, Inc – Ombudsman Corruption Prevention Unit.
With the governor as respondents are top aides, Manuel Mejorada and Levi Buenavista alongside Budget Officer Elena Lim and Alma Ravena, acting Human Resource Development Officer.
The complaint as lodged include charges of usurpation of authority and official function, malversation of public funds, falsification by making untruthful statements in a narration of facts and violation of the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act.
Complainants are People's Graftwatch members Pio Lujan and retired Judge Virgilio Sindico.
Copies of the complaints were furnished to the Capitol particularly members of the 9th Sanggunian Panlalawigan's (SP) Committee on Appropriation.
"In consideration of the 2008 Annual Budget of the Province of Iloilo," the complainants wrote, "…would like to inform that Criminal and Administrative Complaints have been filed with the Office of the Ombudsman for the Visayas."
Earlier similar complaints were also lodged that stemmed from the continued employ of Capitol lawyer Salvador Cabaluna minus a supposed SP approval.
The current set of criminal and administrative complaints targeted the continued employ of Mejorada minus the same supposed SP nod.
The SP body's attention was called "to prevent further dissipation of public funds…otherwise, the member ignoring this official representation may not be spared of from any consequences that may arise therefrom."
Usurpation charges were filed against the governor and Mejorada decried by the complainants as "series of criminal acts of usurpations that have been woven with conspiracy, collusion and agreement with respondent Gov. Niel Tupas Sr. who both have decided to perform and commit the same."
Malversation of public funds were filed against the governor, Mejorada and Buenavista while falsification was filed against the governor, Lim and Ravena. Violation of Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act had Governor Tupas as sole respondent.
"As sufficiently shown and established that the misappropriation committed by the respondent Manuel Mejorada constitutes unlawful expenditures of public fund. In the sense that his continued drawing of the proceeds of the salary provided for the position of the Provincial (Administrator) for which he was not legally entitled to it is an offense," excerpts of the complaint went. "The basis of his misappropriation is no other than but shown upon the inducement employed by respondent Gov. Niel Tupas Sr."