'Ombud silence on Maguindanao carnage disturbing'

CEBU, Philippines - A Cebu City legislator has strongly urged the Office of the Ombudsman to investigate and, if evidence warrants, impose stiff sanctions against public officials and employees involved in the massacre last month of 57 persons in Maguindanao.

Councilor Edgardo Labella, former director of the Ombudsman-Visayas before he joined politics, said that as the Office of the Ombudsman has the power to investigate abuses committed by public officials, he is wondering as to why the anti-graft body did not do its job into the Maguindanao massacre.

“While indeed many agencies in the country have acted upon that urgency, it is observable that one, which has primary jurisdiction over such cases, cognizable as serious administrative offenses, has disturbingly been quiet at a time when the nation warrants its presence and authority, as protector of the people and dispenser of justice, particularly against erring government officials and employees,” he said.

Labella, a lawyer by profession and chairman of the committee on laws of the Cebu City Council, said that the Ombudsman may still investigate the administrative aspect of the alleged involvement of Datu Unsay town Mayor Andal Ampatuan, Jr. into the carnage even if the criminal aspect of the case is already being tried in court.

Through a proposed resolution, Labella has urged Tanodbayan Merceditas Gutierrez to look into the case and institute the appropriate administrative adjudication for infraction of grave misconduct, against the principal suspects who are also public officials, as well as other government employees, including some police officers, who are believed to have conspired and confederated in the perpetration of the said multiple murder cases in Maguindanao.

Labella said the Maguindanao tragedy finds its roots to powerful officials in the province so it would not be amiss to seek relief and aid from the Ombudsman, which is constitutionally empowered to impose appropriate consequences, including the immediate removal from public office of those found guilty of misconduct in the exercise of their duties and powers.

“The abuse that was demonstrated in that tragedy is nonetheless misconduct in its gravest sense, a carnage that has blackened the book of every journalist and every other citizen in this country, and the rest of the world,” Labella said.

He is hoping that the November 23 massacre can be given more attention by the personnel of the Ombudsman whose task is not only limited to graft cases committed by government officials and employees.

Labella said initial investigation showed that the alleged perpetrators of the Maguindanao ruthlessness happen to be public officials using government resources and government manpower that complete the abominable picture of sheer corruption.

Days after the Maguindanao massacre, President Arroyo placed the entire province under Martial Law. But Labella said there is only a little accomplishment to bring to the bar of justice all the perpetrators of the said crime.  — Rene U. Borromeo/MEEV (THE FREEMAN)