Aide seeks dismissal of own case vs VGuv

CEBU, Philippines -  One of the complainants in the alleged anomalous Balili land transaction of the Cebu Provincial government has filed a manifestation before the Office of the Ombudsman seeking to exculpate Vice Governor Gregorio Sanchez Jr. from the criminal complaint now pending in Manila for preliminary investigation.

Manuel Manuel, who also serves as Sanchez’s agriculture consultant, manifested that he never included his boss in the complaints he filed on June 22, 2010.

Manuel said Sanchez was not involved in authorizing Governor Gwendolyn Garcia to enter into the alleged anomalous purchase of the P99 million Balili property.

“Sanchez has consistently advocated for the return of the Capitol money involved in the purchase and the contract be rescinded,” Manuel said as he prayed before the anti-graft office to drop Sanchez from among the respondents.

In the consolidated complaints for violation of the Republic Act 3019 otherwise known as the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act now pending at the Preliminary Investigation and Administrative Adjudication Bureau (PARB) of the anti-graft office in Manila, Manuel was among the complainants against the Capitol officials and employees who have participated in the transaction.

The other complainants include Crisologo Saavedra, another consultant of Sanchez, and Public Assistance and Corruption Prevention Office of the Ombudsman Visayas.

Aside from Sanchez also included as respondents are Governor Garcia, PB members Juan Bolo, Agnes Magpale, Victor Maambong, Peter John Calderon, Julian Daan, Wilfredo Caminero, Jose Ma. Gastardo, Rose Marie Durano, Joven Mondigo Jr., Wenceslao Gakit, Alfred Francis Ouano, Teresita Celis and Bea Mercede Calderon.

Bolo and nine others were charged separately for allegedly “conspiring and confederating with each other in the purchase of a land which is classified as timberland”.

The other respondents who were also ordered to file counter-affidavits are the appraisal committee members Anthony Sususco, Roy Salubre and Eulogio Pelayre; the technical working group Mariflor Vero, Michelle Languido, Roger Dumayac, Pilar Yburan; and private individuals Romeo and Amparo Balili.

The case stemmed from the alleged questionable transaction when it was found out that a large portion of the property was submerged in seawater. (FREEMAN)