Ombudsman concludes lamppost investigation

CEBU, Philippines - The Office of the Ombudsman Visayas finally concluded its reinvestigation into the four of the five cases involving the alleged anomalous procurement of the decorative lampposts during the 12th Association of Southeast Asian Nations Summit in Cebu two years ago.

Deputy Ombudsman for the Visayas Pelagio Apostol said the reinvestigation was completed last Thursday and will be submitted for approval of Ombudsman Merceditas Gutierrez.

Apostol, however, refused to reveal their findings or whether an earlier resolution finding probable cause to elevate the charges before the Sandiganbayan was sustained. Apostol explained that the result of their reinvestigation is still subject for approval of Gutierrez.

The cases that the anti-graft office has concluded its reinvestigation include Criminal Cases Number 270 and 275 before the Sandiganbayan First Division; 273 before the Third Division and 272 before the Fourth Division.

The anti-graft court earlier remanded the case from the third division to the Ombudsman to complete its preliminary investigation.

The cases before the first division were withdrawn by the Ombudsman for reinvestigation while in the fourth division was dismissed without prejudice.

The cases involved the officials of Mandaue and Lapu-Lapu cities, the Department of Public Works and Highways-7 and the contractors Fabmik and Gampik Constructions over the anomalous procurement of the 1,800 decorative lampposts during the 12th Asean Summit.

Former Mandaue City Mayor Thadeo Ouano and Lapu-Lapu City Mayor Arturo Radaza were among the accused of these graft charges.

The other accused were acting engineer Hidelisa Latonio, assistant city engineer Gergorio Omo and engineers Mario Gerolaga, Alfredo Sanchez Sr., and Rosalina Denque, all of Mandaue City; city engineer Julito Cuizon, assistant city engineer Fernando Tagaag Jr. and engineer Rogelio Veloso, all of Lapu-Lapu.

Former DPWH regional director Robert Lala and seven other DPWH officials in Central Visayas were likewise impleaded in the case.

Businessmen Isabelo Braza, president and chair of the board of Fabmik Constuction and Equipment Supply, and Gerardo Surla, chair of the board of Gampik Construction were also impleaded. — Fred P. Languido/LPM (THE FREEMAN)