RIAS yields to Ombudsman probe on Rapiz case
The Regional Internal Affairs Service (RIAS) Regional Office 6 resolved the pending complaint on suspended cop, Police Chief Inspector Leroy Rapiz.
Docketed as Administrative Case No. IAS-FRO0-0014, RIAS Summary Hearing Officer lawyer Samson Go dismissed such citing corresponding investigation before the Office of the Ombudsman.
In a two-page Order obtained by The News Today (TNT), the RIAS 6 lengthily discussed the matter of forum shopping while stressing Ombudsman’s “primary jurisdiction.”
To note, the issues hurled against Rapiz in Administrative No. IAS-FR00-0014 stemmed from the infamous February verbal altercation cum feared near shoot-out with Estancia Mayor Restituto Mosqueda.
The RIAS in penning its Order took note of the mayor’s complaint before Ombudsman’s Ma. Mercedita Gutierrez last February 28, 2009.
“This resolves the two (2) motions filed by respondent thru counsel which refers to an Urgent Motion to Dismiss complaint and/or to suspend/hold in abeyance all proceedings in view of the Honorable Ombudsman’s exercising his legally mandated primary jurisdictions and taking over the preliminary investigation of the administrative and criminal complaints involving the same parties, facts and issues as in the instant case…,” excerpts of the Order went.
Summary Hearing Officer Go took cognizance of the Ombudsman probe stating that “…the office of the Ombudsman has primary jurisdiction over all cases filed against government officials and employees pursuant to the provision of the 1987 Constitution, hence, other administrative agency or body must yield to the Ombudsman in the exercise of its powers and function.”
Go’s Order was approved by then RIAS 6 acting director, Police Superintendent Emmanuel Ughoc.
Meantime, Rapiz remains suspended over the “Berdugo” incidents in Northern Iloilo where he faced similar charges of oppression and grave abuse of authority among others.