Anti-graft office clears postman

CEBU, Philippines - The Office of the Ombudsman-Visayas cleared a worker of the Philippine Postal Corporation in Cebu City of a criminal complaint because of lack of evidence.

The complainant, Pag-ibig Leceña, had claimed that sometime in February 2010, respondent Mathusalem Aban, her neighbor, told her that some of the packages in the post office were not received by the consignees and some were opened with missing items.

 Since she was expecting a package from a friend abroad, the respondent allegedly suggested to her that it would be safe if the package will be addressed to him.

 When her package arrived on March 1, 2010, she was told by the respondent to pick it up in his office. She hurriedly went to claim it but she was allegedly handed an opened package. Leceña added that the respondent told her the package was opened because he inspected it.

 She was told by the respondent to pay for the custom import tax but since she did not bring much amount she only gave P100. Considering they were neighbors, the complainant went to the house of the respondent in the evening of that day to pay the balance but she was told by the latter that he already paid P1,000. She then gave him P1,000. She asked for a receipt but the respondent said there’s no receipt.

 However, she said, when she verified before the Postal Office, she found out that her friend abroad already paid the charges and that she only had to pay P35.

 In the counter-affidavit of respondent, he denied the charges. He said the allegations of the complainant were all fabricated only to malign him to take revenge against his wife, children and relatives who previously had a heated argument with her.

 Aban said that for 34 years in service he never committed any offense in relation to office. He stated that on March 1, 2010 he informed the complainant to get her package in his office which the latter did. Upon receipt of the package, he said the complainant never complained of any irregularity.

 Aban added since the complainant was in a hurry she left the P100 to him for the payment of P35 and he returned the change that evening. He alleged that on March 8, 2010 the complainant had a disagreement with his wife, daughter-in-law and some relatives over rumors that the complainant had an affair with another man.

 He said the issue was even subject of several complaints before their barangay.

Graft investigator Llorene Grace Razo-Ompod dismissed the complaint for lack of evidence.

— (FREEMAN)