Ombuds to Guv: Answer complaint

CEBU, Philippines - The Office of the Ombudsman has asked Cebu Governor Gwendolyn Garcia to answer the supplementary complaint of Manuel Manuel on the much publicized issue against the Capitol officials involving the purchase of the Balili lands in Naga.

However, the anti graft office only asked Garcia to submit a counter-affidavit to the Preliminary Investigation Administrative Adjudication and Review Bureau of the Office of the Ombudsman-Manila.

Earlier, Garcia said she will only answer the complaint filed by the Public Assistance and Corruption Prevention Office (PACPO) of the Office of the Ombudsman-Visayas on the Balili land deal.

On December 2010, Manuel filed a supplemental complaint against Garcia and the members of the Provincial Board.

This was because of in their alleged violation of the Anti Graft and Corrupt Practices Act, which prohibits public officials from “persuading, inducing or influencing another public official to violate rules and regulation or to commit such violation or offense.”

Manuel alleged that Garcia was authorized by the Board to officially facilitate the “illegal purchase” of the over 24-hectare property in barangay Tinaan, Naga City in the amount of P98 million on April 20, 2008.

The fact-finding investigation found sufficient grounds to upgrade the investigation into formal criminal and administrative adjudications.

Garcia and the PB members led by the late vice governor Sanchez and members of the Cebu Appraisal Committee and its staff have been recommended to face formal charges. — (FREEMAN)