Consolacion employees cleared of dishonesty

CEBU, Philippines - The Office of the Ombudsman-Visayas has dismissed the administrative complaint filed against the employees of the Office of the Civil Registrar in Consolacion town, Cebu, for lack of cause of action.

Graft investigator Carla Juris Tanco cleared municipal treasurer Constancia Goc-ong and clerk Fe Cuyos for dishonesty.

Tanco said based on the evidence, the complainant A-1 Financial Services Inc. represented by account officer Diole Dinglasa said they were no longer interested in pursuing the case after Cuyos paid her loan amounting to P14,140.

“It’s clear from the evidence that on June 16, 2010 respondent Cuyos made full payment of her loan with A-1 Financial Services, Inc.,” decision reads.

In her complaint, Dinglasa alleged that Cuyos obtained a loan amounting to P14,140.

She said there was a Memorandum of Agreement executed by Goc-ong and a representative of A-1 Financial Services. In the said MOA it stated that Goc-ong will deduct the “monthly amortization” from the salary of Cuyos.

However, Dinglasa said Goc-ong failed to deduct the monthly amortization. With that she said Cuyos failed to pay her loan.

Tanco directed respondents to file their counter-affidavits to negate the allegations filed against them but their office did not receive any. He then directed both parties to file their position papers.

In their position paper, the complainant reiterated the complaint and added Cuyos obtained her loan on Jun. 16, 2005.

Aside from filing complaint before the anti-graft office, complainant likewise filed civil case before the Municipal Circuit Trial Court (MCTC) in Consolacion against Cuyos.

In the said proceedings before the MCTC, both parties entered a compromise agreement which was approved by Presiding Judge Jocelyn Uy-Po.

Tanco said on May 19, 2011 the paralegal officer of A-1 Financial Services Inc. Albert Jason Arcamo executed an affidavit of desistance withdrawing the administrative complaint.

He added the complainant withdraw the case after Cuyos was able to pay her loan.

Meanwhile, upon evaluation of the complaint, the anti-graft office at first recommended that the complaint filed be referred before the CSC for appropriate action.

However, since the MOA ended on Jan. 28, 2007 the anti-graft office re-raffled the complaint for another investigator.  (FREEMAN)