Ex-Napocor chief, 4 others face raps

MANILA, Philippines - Junking the recommendations of local prosecutors who are subject to review by the anti-graft agency, the Office of the Ombudsman yesterday ordered the filing of charges against officials of the National Power Corporation (NAPOCOR).

Acting Ombudsman Orlando Casimiro said cases for violation of the Philippine Fisheries Code of 1998 should be lodged against former NAPOCOR president Cyril del Callar and project manager Romualdo Consigna, along with private respondents Harold Laureta, Francisco Madera and Russel Ferrer of S.L. Development Construction Corp.

In the review issued by the Preliminary Investigation and Administrative Adjudication Bureau (PARB) on a complaint filed by former Palawan mayor Edward Hagedorn, Casimiro said graft probers were able to establish that the testimonies of the Department of the Environment and Natural Resources-Community Environment and Natural Resources Office (DENR-CENRO) employees are sufficient to prove the alleged questionable cutting of 12,000 square meters of mangroves at Brgy. Lucbuan, Puerto Princesa.

The cutting on May 2008 of mangrove trees by the NAPOCOR was for the purpose of installing transmission lines and towers.

Casimiro said that the testimony is sufficient basis to proceed against the respondents for violation of Section 94 Chapter VI of RA 8550, which penalizes the conversion of mangroves into fishponds or for any other purpose.

It was also established that Laureta, Madera and Ferrer were identified as responsible for the cutting of the mangrove trees and were present during the seizure of 1,102 pieces of Bakawan timber.

This is coupled by the fact that Del Callar and Consigna, in their capacity as NAPOCOR officials, did not oppose or reject such illegal cutting and conversion.

Casimiro said the respondents should be held for trial before the Sandiganbayan.