Ombudsman needs complaint to probe Wagas confinement

CEBU, Philippines - The Office of the Ombudsman Visayas is waiting for a complainant to come out before looking into the questionable confinement of former Compostela mayor Gilbert Wagas in a private hospital in Cebu City.

Wagas, who was earlier convicted for graft, is supposed to be serving his sentence at the New Bilibid Prison in Muntinlupa.

Deputy Ombudsman Pelagio Apostol said his office is willing to investigate to find out if a ranking government official is behind it, but only if somebody is filing a complaint. Under the Ombudsman Act, the anti-graft office has the authority to investigate even if there is no complainant.

The office even has the power to investigate on the basis of a mere newspaper report. But Apostol explained that he cannot acquire jurisdiction over Wagas because he is supposed to be detained in Muntinlupa which is already out of his jurisdiction.

Apostol admitted that he is also wondering why Wagas is confined at the Visayas Community Medical Center. He said while prisoner, who is suffering from serious illness, can be admitted to the hospital but this has to be upon the approval of the court.

It was learned that Wagas was brought in Cebu last July 18 to attend the hearing of a case in Mandaue City. But a hospital staff who requested anonymity said, Wagas has been confined since July 16, two days earlier of his scheduled hearing in Mandaue City, because of diabetes.

Vice Governor Agnes Magpale said she also received reports that Wagas was able to attend fiesta celebration in Compostela.

“I guess all the people in Compostela after seeing him, have a second thought why he was there and not in Muntinlupa as he was detained in there,” Magpale said. — (FREEMAN)