CEBU CITY - There are no other anti-graft officials supporting the complaint of Deputy Ombudsman Arturo Mojica against his superior, Ombudsman Aniano Desierto.
This was the clarification issued yesterday by Office of the Ombudsman Visayas officer-in-charge Nicanor Cruz Jr. in reaction to a statement of former Solicitor General Francisco Chavez, Mojica's lawyer, that there are other deputy ombudsmen secretly supporting his client and are willing to come out in the open once an investigation by the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee starts.
Desierto has only four other deputies all over the country: one for Luzon, Jesus Guerrero; Antonio Valenzuela for Mindanao; Orlando Casimero for the military, and Margarito Jervacio Jr. as overall deputy ombudsman.
Cruz said he is saddened by the growing conflict between Desierto and Mojica, fearing the credibility of the anti-graft office will be affected by the conflict.
Cruz said the word war between Desierto and Mojica is an indication that democracy is alive in the Office of the Ombudsman.
Mojica filed a complaint with the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee headed by Sen. Aquilino Pimentel against Desierto for alleged graft and corruption.
But members of the House described Mojica's move as inaccurate.
Deputy Speaker Erico Aumentado, chairman of the House ethics committee, said Mojica should have filed his complaint with the House committee on justice.
Aumentado explained that the accusations of Mojica are serious and considered impeachable offenses but that only the House not the Senate, can initiate impeachment proceedings.
Still, Chavez explained there are matters regarding the complaint which they wanted the Senate to look into, so they filed the complaint with the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee.
Rep. Ernesto Herrera doubts if the legislative body can take up the case in a month's time as Congress is already in its Lenten recess.
The controversy will possibly be discussed next month when Congress resumes sessions. -