Over Rallos lot, Osmeña, 4 others sued for graft

CEBU, Philippines - A criminal complaint for graft and corruption was filed yesterday against Cebu City south district Rep. Tomas Osmeña and three others for allowing the release of over P56 million as payment of the controversial Rallos lot in Barangay Sambag I.

Jack Rallos, grandson of the late Francisco Rallos, who claimed to be the heir of the original owners of the lot,  filed the complaint before the Office of the Ombudsman Visayas against Osmeña, former city administrator Francisco “Bimbo” Fernandez who is now undersecretary of the Department of the Interior and Local Government, court sheriff Antonio Bellones, and Lucina and Maurillo Rallos.

Jack, resident of Unit II, OPRRA, Kalunasan, Cebu City said that Osmeña allowed the payment to the heirs of the late Fr. Vicente Rallos despite knowing the existence of a convenio or an agreement donating the subject lot in Sambag I to the city government for public use.

Jack claimed that Osmeña caused the release of P56, 196,369.42 during his term as mayor of Cebu City to the heirs of Fr. Vicente Rallos to the prejudice of the government.

“To our consternation, Osmeña ordered the payment to the alleged heirs of Fr. Vicente Rallos despite the fact that he already knew of the existence of the Convenio wherein the Ralloses already donated the Lot Nos. 485-D and 485-E to the Cebu City Government and that at the time of payment, there was yet no final settlement whether the alleged heirs of Fr. Vicente were entitled to it,” the affidavit read.

The payment allegedly constitute a violation of Section 3(e) of the Republic Act 3019 or Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act.

Jack said he went to City Hall sometime in 2009 after learning that Lucina and Maurillo filed a claim against the city government for the use of their property.  Lucina and Maurillo demanded P20,622,407.04 from the city government.

Jack said he personally told Osmeña, who was then the city mayor, that the government has no obligation to the claimants because the property was already donated for public use.

Jack recalled having told Osmeña then that if the city government decides to pay despite the convenio, one-third of the amount should be given to him and his other siblings for being heirs of the original owners of the lot.

Jack said he was surprised after he knew that Osmeña ordered the issuance of a check in favor of the heirs of Fr. Vicente Rallos in the amount of P21,291,369.42.

He said it was Fernandez who allegedly facilitated the preparation of the disbursement voucher and check.

Jack added that he found it “appalling to hear” Osmeña’s statement that he would pay the P133 million balance if he gets reelected in 2013.— (FREEMAN)