DENR chief probed for graft raps

The Office of the Ombudsman has started the investigation on the graft charges filed against Secretary Elisea Gozun on the complaint over her and her husband’s questionable wealth after her appointment to the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) in December 2002.

In a two-page order, Ombudsman Simeon Marcelo forwarded the complaint of Lauro Paglinawan to the Fact-Finding and Intelligence Bureau (FFIB) "for appropriate investigation, considering the seriousness of the allegations."

Paglinawan alleged that "the Ombudsman should investigate the source of wealth of Gozun and her husband especially the highly suspicious increase in their cash position by more than P20 million."

"The increase is not only suspicious as it is highly questionable, the only logical explanation is that Gozun was able to receive so much as a result of her appointment," Paglinawan said in his one-page complaint.

The case of unexplained wealth stemmed from Gozun’s alleged involvement as one of the owners of Gala South, Inc. which has bagged a multi-million dollar contract with the DENR.

Graft prober Rosano Oliva, however, stated that they are "inclined" to throw out the insinuations of sudden increase in the Gozun couple’s assets, from a declared income of P13.8 million in 2001 to P35 million in 2002.

"The complaint-affidavit failed to show how the supposed increase was illegally obtained. Moreover, a perusal of the evidence on record, the supposed sworn statement of net worth, disclosed that the same is not a certified photocopy of the original," Oliva said.

He said a preliminary investigation would no longer be necessary for the same reasons, but admitted a "fact-finding investigation" on Paglinawan’s allegations is warranted "considering the seriousness of the allegations in the complaint."

Paglinawan filed similar charges before the Presidential Anti- Graft Commission (PAGC), but the allegations were all denied by Gozun.

The DENR secretary said there was nothing illegal about their being wealthy since her husband retired as senior vice president of Philippine Associated Smelting and Refining Corp. (Pasar).