Ombud scraps case against Liloan's former municipal agriculturist

CEBU, Philippines - Due to insufficient evidence, the Office of the Ombudsman-Visayas dismissed the complaints filed against the former municipal agriculturist of Liloan who was earlier accused of using public funds for personal benefits and for favoring illegal fishers in Northern Cebu.

Graft investigator Pio Dargantes dismissed the anti-graft charges filed by Liloan Mayor Vincent Franco Frasco and municipal human resources chief Rolando Tabuñag against Dionesia Ochea who was also facing a complaint for the violation of Republic Act 8550 known as The Philippine Fisheries Code of 1998.

“The charges fail to adduce evidence to overcome the presumption of regularity of official functions accorded to respondent,” the resolution reads.

Tabuñag said before he was appointed as chief of the Human Resource Management Office, he was under the supervision of Ochea as agricultural technologist for a decade.

During their meeting with other department heads, Tabuñag said he opened up to them about the conduct of a formal investigation against Ochea for her alleged illegal activities.

He added Ochea allegedly received proceeds from the town’s animal dispersal program and agri-fair trade and diverted the funds intended for the marine sanctuary cottage in Barangay Suba, Poblacion, Liloan.

He said it was Ochea who allegedly issued prohibited fishing gears to the commercial fishers from Danao City and conniving with illegal fishers to operate in the municipal waters using air compressor which is prohibited by the local ordinance.

In her counter-affidavit, Ochea vehemently denied the allegations filed against her and argued that the allegation that she issued fishing gear to commercial fishers in exchange for monetary consideration was a lie.

She likewise denied that she used the public funds for her personal benefit and claimed that they were used appropriately.

In his resolution, Dargantes stated that he found it hard whom among witnesses, and what portion of their statements to believe.

“The statements of the witnesses would reveal that other town workers were involved in the illegal fishing activities but were not included in the complaint.” Dargantes’ resolution reads. — (FREEMAN)