Morales asks Apostol: Act on complaint vs Gubalane

CEBU, Philippines - Ombudsman Conchita Carpio-Morales endorses the letter of Brenda Tan, who filed a graft complaint against Regional State Prosecutor Fernando Gubalane, to the Deputy Ombudsman for Visayas Pelagio Apostol.

Morales, in her endorsement letter dated September 7, 2011 to Apostol, said Apostol should make an appropriate action on the complaint filed by Tan of Purok Butterfly, Babag I, Lapu-lapu City. Tan in a letter last August 1 requested the anti-graft office to issue an order of preventive suspension for six months against Gubalane for alleged harassment.

She added this is needed “to prevent Gubalane from wielding his power and tamper with the documentary evidence and records pertinent to this case.”

She said after she filed cases for violation of the anti-graft law and grave misconduct against Gubalane before the Office of the Ombudsman-Visayas for his receipt of monthly allowances from local government units, she is now experiencing harassment.

Tan said after she was interviewed on TV, a suspicious looking man that looked like a bully went to her place and asked about her in the neighborhood.

“A family member immediately went to our house and informed me of this man. Afraid, I hid myself in the room and told my child to observe the man outside,” Tan wrote.

“When asked why he was looking for me, the man answered that he was sent by Mr. Jun Madarang, an immigration official to confirm if indeed this Brenda Tan is residing in that place. Further questioning uncovered that the man’s name is Alex Ebarle who was wearing an immigration t-shirt and is working for Jun Madarang,” letter reads.

Tan said Gubalane was the Regional Chairman of Anti-Trafficking Task Force connected with the immigration office headed by Madarang. She added the Anti-Trafficking Task Force, through the immigration, was giving a monthly allowance to Gubalane.

“Henceforth, RSP Gubalane is using his position to move his cahoots in Immigration Mandaue Office to harass me,” Tan said.

She added that because of her fear for her family, she asked Deputy Ombudsman Apostol for help.

Tan said Gubalane’s filing of perjury case within the jurisdiction of the Regional State Prosecutor was a “clear case of abuse of power.”

Gubalane filed a perjury case against Tan before the City Prosecutor’s Office for making a false statement under oath.

However, Gubalane told The FREEMAN through a text message that he doesn’t know Tan.

“Wala man ko kaila niya hangtud karon unsaon nako pag-harass? Besides, wala ko intention mo-harass bisan kinsa kay dili man na maayo (I don’t know her until now, so how can I harass her? Besides, it’s not my intention to harass anybody.).  (FREEMAN)