Ombudsman says Nani probe already ongoing

The Office of the Ombudsman denied yesterday it was doing nothing about the extortion accusations against former justice secretary Hernando Perez, saying an investigation began months ago.

Investigators already sought Hong Kong authorities last January for information on the $2 million that former congressman Mark Jimenez allegedly routed to Perez through a Hong Kong bank, spokesman Ernesto Nocos said in a statement.

Former solicitor general Francisco Chavez earlier urged the Ombudsman to investigate and accused the Arroyo administration of protecting Perez, an Arroyo ally.

The policy of the Ombudsman "not to make public the details on ongoing investigations until these are terminated is for the purpose of ensuring that the investigation is free from interference from external sources," Nocos said.

Because of Chavez’s statements, however, the agency was "constrained to make the confirmation that of the investigative activities on the Perez case so as to dispel rumors and belie repeated new reports" of a cover-up.

Nocos said two Ombudsman officials met with officials of the Hong Kong Independent Commission Against Corruption last January to ask for information about Perez.

Nocos added they have asked authorities in Switzerland only last Sept. 9 for information on their own ongoing investigation on Perez and three others.

Swiss authorities began a money laundering investigation on Perez, his wife Rosario, brother-in-law Ramon Arceo Jr. and investment banker Ernest Escaler in 2001.

"The Ombudsman now awaits the action of the Swiss government on the said request," Nocos said, adding that the Ombudsman is presently working with the Department of Foreign Affairs with regard to the investigation in Switzerland.

Writing as taxpayer, Chavez said "the citizenry is puzzled" why government agencies have not initiated any action against Perez, and asked the Ombudsman to investigate.

The government must take the initiative to file charges against persons who appear to be responsible for crimes committed regardless of their stature, political influence or personal connections, he said.

Perez’s strong political ties with the Arroyo administration seemed to be "an obstacle" in ferreting out the truth, Chavez said.

Earlier, Justice Secretary Simeon Datumanong said his department would have to wait for a formal complaint against Perez before taking any action.

In a privilege speech in November 2001, then Manila congressman Jimenez accused Perez of extorting $2 million from him.

Jimenez allegedly routed the money from his bank account in Uruguay, through the Cayman Islands and New York, then through Hong Kong and, finally, to Switzerland. Perez denies the charges.

Jimenez filed extortion, plunder and other corruption charges against Perez before the Ombudsman shortly.

Last March, the Swiss government, through federal prosecutor Brent Holtkamp, asked Manila for information about any cases against Perez, his wife, Arceo and Escaler.

Bern also asked for banking and financial details and other information that might be useful in their investigation.

The probe began in March 2001 shortly after Rosario Perez, Arceo and Escaler opened a total of six bank accounts in that country.

Rosario Perez and Arceo gave the former justice secretary — who resigned in January following the extortion charges against him — authority to withdraw from their accounts.

In its Sept. 3 letter to Swiss Ambassador Lise Favre, the Ombudsman requested for "any relevant evidence or information" in relation to the Swiss Prosecuting Magistrate’s investigation into the Swiss bank accounts of Perez and the others.

Next week opposition Sen. Sergio Osmeña III will reopen a Senate committee investigation on an alleged anomalous power plant contract that Perez approved in early 2001 shortly after the ouster of Mrs. Arroyo’s predecessor, Joseph Estrada.

Estrada alleged last January that he once turned down during his presidency a $14-million bribe offer from erstwhile friend Jimenez — then his adviser on Latin American affairs — to have the power plant deal approved.

Estrada’s allies in the Senate have alleged that the Arroyo administration had taken a $14-million-dollar bribe to award the contract to Argentine power firm, Industrias Metalurgicas Pescarmona Sociedad Anonima.

The administration countered that the contract was signed during Estrada’s 31-month presidency, cut short in January 2001 by a military-backed popular protest. Estrada was replaced by then vice president Gloria Arroyo.

Estrada is currently on trial for allegedly taking bribes from illegal gambling bosses, among other corruption charges.