Saavedra pursues plunder vs. Gwen

CEBU, Philippines - While charged for malicious prosecution by Cebu Governor Gwendolyn Garcia, Crisologo Saavedra is pursuing his request to investigate the governor for plunder in relation to the alleged anomalous purchase of the Balili property in Tinaan, Naga.

Saavedra filed yesterday a rejoinder to his urgent request filed before the Office of the Ombudsman specifying the provincial officials involved in what he said was a conspiracy, and who he said were equally guilty of plunder.

Saavedra said he discovered evidence to support his claim for urgent investigation against Garcia.

He said that on the anti-graft office report about the Balili issue, “it was established that there was conspiracy among the government officials.”

Saavedra claimed the governor conspired with former Provincial Board member Juan Bolo and property owners Amparo Balili and lawyer Romeo Balili.

He also told the anti-graft body that “this illegal and fraudulent transaction has enriched the respondents involved in the conspiracy and each of everyone involved are guilty of the crime of plunder,” Saavedra said.

Saavedra earlier asked the Cebu City Prosecutor’s Office to drop the criminal complaint for malicious prosecution against him citing his alleged immunity under the Ombudsman Act of 1989.

In his answer to the complaint that Garcia filed, Saavedra quoted the Ombudsman Act which allegedly grants him immunity from criminal prosecution being a whistleblower.

Garcia accused Saavedra of malicious prosecution after the latter charged her with plunder before the Office of the Ombudsman-Visayas for allegedly accumulating ill-gotten wealth amounting to more than P50 million.

Saavedra’s request to investigate Garcia for alleged plunder used as basis the final evaluation report of the Ombudsman on the Balili property purchase.

The anti-graft body’s report recommended the upgrading of the fact-finding inquiry into a formal investigation into the lot purchase. (FREEMAN)