Ombudsman Visayas "gags" personnel

CEBU, Philippines - Deputy Ombudsman for the Visayas Pelagio Apostol did not only gag the other anti-graft officials in the Visayas from granting interviews to the media, he likewise shut his doors to the reporters following criticism because of his reported instruction to graft investigators handling the investigation of the alleged anomalous construction of the Cebu International Convention Center to clear Gov. Gwen Garcia.

Although there was no written memorandum, Ombudsman officials in the Visayas said they were not authorized to talk to the media.

“Bawal,” said assistant Ombudsman Virginia Palanca Santiago when The FREEMAN tried to interview her yesterday.

When The FREEMAN tried to interview Santiago she referred this reporter to the office of Apostol. But when this reporter went there he was told by Ferdinand Julito Fernandez, Apostol’s executive assistant, to contact a certain Anna Sanchez from the Ombudsman Manila.

Fernandez said all questions about the anti-graft office will now be answered by the Manila office. When asked if there was a written memorandum to this effect, Fernandez said he does not know if there was, he was only relaying what Apostol instructed him to.

The FREEMAN also learned from the security guards of the building that cameramen and photographers are no longer allowed inside. The orders were allegedly given by Fernandez.

The tight measures against the media coverage at the Ombudsman Visayas are being implemented amidst the public call made by Apostol himself for transparency.

In fact, he organized a multi-sectoral anti-corruption council in the Visayas with the different sectors signing a covenant against corruption. Ironically, a report about Apostol’s order to clear Garcia from the CICC investigation broke out during the week the covenant signing was made.

Apostol denied giving such an order but referred the result of the fact-finding investigation to Manila which they do not practice in other cases. — Fred P. Languido/BRP (THE FREEMAN)