Roderick Paulate, Francisco Calalay, Jr. charged with malversation of public funds

Quezon City councilors Roderick Paulate and Francisco Calalay, Jr. are facing charges from the Office of the Ombudsman regarding fictitious employees under government payroll. These "employees" received between Php 2, 500 to Php 5, 000, reports say.

Jimmy Lee Davis, an insider at the city hall obtained evidence showing wages disbursed by the two councilors to their supposed staff. According to Davis’ complaint sent to the Field Investigation Office (FIO), Paulate has a total of 30 fictitious employees while Calalay has 29. 

A representative from the Ombudsman said, “A total of Php 2, 175, 000.00 in wages was disbursed by Councilor Calalay, while Councilor Paulate disbursed a total of Php 1, 125, 000.00."

Operation Ombudsman Public Assistance

The Office of the Ombudsman launched its Operation: Public Assistance today, May 7, 2012 as one of its activities in celebration of its 24^th anniversary.

In coordination with the City Government of Quezon City and under the theme, “OMB at 24: Restoring Trust and Integrity in Public Service”, the Office of the Ombudsman has set up “Ombudsman” desks at the lobby of the Main Building of Quezon City Hall at 8:30 am to 4:30 pm today until tomorrow.

Services would cover legal assistance, PVAO/SSS/GSIS Claims, and grievances against public officials/employees.

Open to the general public, the soft launching of the public assistance project was led by Assistance Ombudsman Evelyn Baliton of OMB’s Public Assistance and Corruption Prevention Office.

Baliton said that “the project will step up the level of public awareness on the other major function of the Office of the Ombudsman  which is, upon complaint by any citizen, any officer or employee of the Government may be directed, at the instance of the Office, to perform and expedite any act or duty required by law, or to stop, prevent, and correct any abuse or impropriety in the performance of duties.”

The launching was graced by Quezon City Mayor Herbert Bautista, Vice Mayor Joy Belmonte and Senator Aquilino  Pimentel III, among others.

Ombudsman offers veterans assistance on 24th anniversary

To commemorate 24 years of service, the Office of the Ombudsman recently announced that it will open its doors to veterans who need help in filing their claims. The activity will be help from May 7 to 8, 2012 from 8.30 am to 4.30 pm at the Quezon City Hall.

Similar activities will be done in other cities within the Metro Manila area on the following dates: May 14 and 15 at the Kaloocan City Hall; May 17 and 18 - Manila City Hall; May 21 and 22 - Pasay City Hall; May 24 and 25 - Makati City Hall; May 28 and 29 - Mandaluyong City Hall and May 30 and 31 - Pasig City Hall.

Statement of Ombudsman Ma. Merceditas N. Gutierrez (April 18, 2011)

SENATE RECEIVES ARTICLES OF IMPEACHMENT: Senate Secretary Emma Lirio Reyes receives the articles of impeachment that will be used against Ombudsman Merceditas Gutierrez from Representatives Niel Tupas, Rodolfo Fariñas, Erin Tañada and Rey Umali. (PRIB Photo by Alex Nuevaespaña)

Press Release

I have been attacked numerous times, though unjustly and without basis. Many of these attacks have been coming not only from my usual detractors but from no less than the President of the Republic himself.

Despite his repeated pronouncements, mostly before graduating students of various schools in Metro Manila, that he is “at war” against me, I have chosen to be silent mainly because I have deep respect to the institution that the President represents.

Despite the open call of the President to impeach me and his calling on the people, especially young students, to support the impeachment proceedings against me, I would not engage him in a word war before the public as this would only demean both of us, especially in this season of Lent.

Just the same, the case against me is now with the Senate. The Senate should be allowed to do its job without any interference or pressure. I have always expressed my willingness to take part in the legal processes because it is the only way the issues raised against me will be resolved.

I am willingly submitting myself before the Senate as an impeachment court not only because I am confident that I will be vindicated in the end but also because the Senate as an institution should be protected against any perceived pressure or partiality.

I have always believed in and strived for the preservation of institutions. Institutions must be preserved and protected and not demeaned and destroyed. Otherwise, we go back to tyranny and dictatorship where the rule of those in power reigns supreme over reason and the rule of law.

Despite all that he has said and done, I maintain my deep respect for the President. 

(Sources: http://www.senate.gov.ph and http://www.ombudsman.gov.ph) 

Ombudsman orders filing of plunder raps vs. Lorenzo, Bolante, several others

MANILA, April 15 (PNA) - The Office of the Ombudsman ordered on Friday the filing of plunder charges before the anti-graft court Sandiganbayan against former Department of Agriculture Secretary Luis Ramon “Chito” Lorenzo, former DA Undersecretary Jocelyn “Joc-Joc” Bolante, former Quezon City Rep. Nanette Castelo-Daza and 33 other incumbent and former government officials and private individuals in connection with the P728-million fertilizer fund anomaly.

Charged with one count of plunder each were Lorenzo, Bolante and former DA Assistant Secretary Ibarra Poliquit; and private respondents Jaime Eonzon Paule, Marilyn Araos, Joselito Flordeliza, Marites Aytona, Jose Barredo and Leonicia Marco-Llarena.

Charged with one count each of malversation were DA Regional Executive Directors Gumersindo D. Lasam of Tuguegarao City, Cesar Rodriguez of San Fernando City, Dennis Araullo of the DA Central Office, Ricardo Oblena of Cebu City and several others.

With the exception of Araullo, they were likewise charged with one count each of violation of Section 3 (e) Republic Act No. 3019, otherwise known as “The Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act.” Araullo was charged with five counts of the said crime.

In a 134-page joint-resolution, the Ombudsman said “there exists probable cause” to file the charges against the respondents.

Likewise, former Congressmen Federico Sandoval (Navotas) and Oscar Gozos (Batangas), former Governors Carmencita Reyes (Marinduque) and Leonardo Verceles Jr. (Catanduanes), 19 other DA and local officers and three private individuals were charged with the same offense.

Charges of technical malversation were also filed against Daza, Sandoval, Gozos, Araullo, and 13 other DA officers.

On the other hand, the complaints against DA Assistant Secretary Belinda Gonzales; Emma Gonzales (office-in-charge, Cash and Disbursement Section); Catanduanes provincial accountant Sonia Villaluna and private respondents Deonilla Misola-Gregorio, Redentor Antolin, Linus Villanueva, Phydias Banez, Fernando Gallarte, and Frederico Quevedo were dismissed for insufficiency of evidence.

Ombudsman elated with U.S. turnover of forfeited Ligot assets

The Office of the Ombudsman expressed satisfaction at the recent turnover to the Philippine government of the $132,000 check representing the proceeds of the forfeiture sale of the Buena Park, California property owned by former military comptroller Jacinto Ligot.

In a press statement released today, the Office of the Ombudsman said that Asst. Ombudsman (AO) Jose T. de Jesus Jr. said that the turnover was fruit of the prompt action initiated by Ombudsman Ma. Merceditas N. Gutierrez. “When it came to the knowledge of the Office that the property has been sold by the US government, Ombudsman Gutierrez immediately wrote the Department of Justice to request for the return of the proceeds,” AO de Jesus said.

On the basis of such request, then Justice Secretary Agnes Devanadera coordinated with the US government for the return to the Philippines of the proceeds of the sale of the property. AO de Jesus said that the Ombudsman learned of the turnover of the proceeds through a letter sent by Justice Secretary Leila de Lima on April 7, 2011.

“Justice Secretary de Lima informed the Ombudsman that it was US Ambassador to the Philippines Harry K. Thomas Jr. who turned over the check for $132,000, representing the full amount of the forfeiture sale as indicated in the Ombudsman’s request for assistance,” AO de Jesus said.

He explained that the Ombudsman had earlier requested the DOJ to assist in the return of all or some of the proceeds of the sale of the Buena Park property under the Mutual Legal Assistance Treaty (MLAT) between the Philippines and the US.

AO de Jesus further said that “We are happy that the efforts of the Ombudsman, under the watch of Ombudsman Gutierrez, in having this check delivered to the Philippine government have paid off.” The Buena Park property is among the alleged ill-gotten wealth covered by the forfeiture case against the Ligots, filed by the Ombudsman before the Sandiganbayan in 2005.

(Source: http://www.ombudsman.gov.ph/index.php?navId=MTQ=&pressId=MTc0) 

Ombudsman, COA tie up vs grafters - INQUIRER.net, Philippine News for Filipinos

"The Joint Investigation Team ... will conduct a fact-finding investigation on the cases submitted to them involving respondents with a salary grade of 27 and above.

These include governors; vicegovernors; members of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan; provincial treasurers; assessors, engineers, and other city department heads; city mayor; vice mayor, members of the sangguniang panlungsod, city treasurers, assessors, engineers, and other city department heads; officials of the diplomatic service occupying the position of consul and higher; Philippine Army and Air Force colonels, naval captains, and all officers of higher rank; PNP chief superintendent and PNP officers of higher rank; City and provincial prosecutors and their assistants, and officials and prosecutors in the Office of the Ombudsman and Special Prosecutor; and presidents, directors or trustees, or managers of government-owned or controlled corporations, state universities or educational institutions or foundations."

Read the rest here:
Ombudsman, COA tie up vs government grafters - INQUIRER.net, Philippine News for Filipinos

The Majority has the numbers to impeach Ombudsman Gutierrez, but the President has to want it - Progressive Party List Bloc

Joint Press Statement

August 31, 2010

The progressive party-list bloc in the 15th Congress firmly believes that the impeachment case against Ombudsman Merceditas Gutierrez can and will prosper if President Aquino and the Liberal Party-led coalition in the House musters the political will to make sure it does. The impeachment complaint only needs 90 signatures of endorsement and the articles of impeachment can immediately be sent to the Senate for trial.

It is incumbent upon the President and the LP leadership to ensure that the impeachment complaints succeed. Ombudsman Gutierrez’s removal from office remains the litmus test of Pres. Aquino’s promise to hold former president Arroyo and her cohorts accountable for their crimes. Only with a credible and competent Ombudsman can his administration expect to curb corruption.

The House will not find it hard to impeach the Ombudsman. The complaints filed by leaders of various people’s organizations and NGOs clearly show that the Ombudsman betrayed the public trust and culpably violated the Constitution by her failure to act promptly and effectively investigate and prosecute those involved in the fertilizer fund scam, the Comelec-Mega Pacific automation contract, the Euro generals incident and the NBN-ZTE deal.

Therefore, we call on the President to stand firm on his publicly-declared intention of removing the Ombudsman from office. It bothers us that the President seems to have backtracked on his earlier, critical position vis-à-vis the Ombudsman. The President should show everyone that he is serious in taking the straight path and in removing one of its biggest obstacles.

The case against Gutierrez is unique. For the first time in many years, impeachment proceedings are being initiated from the ranks of the majority. Thus we call on the House leadership to mobilize its numbers to ensure the successful impeachment of the Ombudsman. If 90 signatures cannot be gathered for immediate transmittal of the complaint to the Senate, the House leadership must make sure that the complaints are consolidated, given a fair hearing, and voted upon based on their merits.

The new leadership, especially the President, is now in a position to ensure not a tyranny of numbers but a proper hearing and resolution of the case which was denied us in the previous Congress. We hope they do not disappoint our people.

The Justice Committee has its work cut out for it with the simultaneous referral to it last August 11 of the two impeachment complaints against the Ombudsman. The next step is to consolidate the two complaints into one impeachment proceedings. Courts as a rule consolidate similar complaints. Congress as a matter of routine also consolidates bills on the same issue. This legal principle of consolidation is the reason why impeachment rules do not prohibit consolidation in anticipation of impeachment complaints simultaneously referred and initiated.

TEDDY A. CASIÑO
Bayan Muna Party-list

NERI JAVIER COLMENARES
Bayan Muna Party-list

RAFAEL V. MARIANO
Anakpawis Party-list

LUZVIMINDA C. ILAGAN
Gabriela Women’s Party

EMY DE JESUS
Gabriela Women’s Party

RAYMOND V. PALATINO
Kabataan Party-list

ANTONIO L. TINIO
ACT Teachers Party-list

Editor's note: A note from the Facebook page of U.P. Diliman Department of English and Comparative Literature Professor Cristina Pantoja Hidalgo, entitled "WHY AM I BEING HOUNDED BY THE OFFICE OF THE OMBUDSMAN," (http://tinyurl.com/27ulyg9) shows that the Office of the Ombudsman may already be running amuck as it fails to investigate and prosecute the real criminals in government. The Diliman Diary strongly objects to official ineptitude and corruption by government officials both inside and outside the Diliman area, including the Office of the Ombudsman, which is located in Agham Road, Diliman, Quezon City.