Ombudsman asked not to drop cases vs GMA

MANILA, Philippines -  Ombudsman Conchita Carpio-Morales was asked yesterday to reconsider the anti-graft agency’s decision to forgo its administrative investigation against former President now Pampanga Rep. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo in relation to her alleged involvement in the national broadband network (NBN) deal anomaly.

Bayan Muna party-list Rep. Teodoro Casiño filed a motion before the Office of the Ombudsman saying the administrative liability of Arroyo for crimes allegedly committed when she was still president should still stand.

The Ombudsman on Sept. 21, 2011 approved the recommendation of Graft Investigation and Prosecution Officer (GIPO) II Lelani Tagulao-Marquez closing and terminating the administrative case of grave misconduct against Arroyo with respect to the NBN-ZTE plunder complaint filed against her.

The dismissal of the administrative charge was anchored on the argument that Morales had no authority to suspend or remove the respondent from her current post as congresswoman for administrative offenses supposedly committed in her previous position.

The ruling explained that under the Doctrine of Condonation, Arroyo’s election as Pampanga representative erased her administrative liabilities and thus could not be removed from her current office.

Casiño, along with Carol Araullo of the group Bayan and former Gabriela representative Liza Maza, however, averred that while the Ombudsman may have no authority to suspend or remove Arroyo as a member of the House of Representatives, the anti-graft body could still impose other administrative penalties like the forfeiture of her retirement benefits and privileges as the former chief executive.

“In filing this case, we are seeking the imposition of other penalties arising from administrative liabilities against Mrs. Arroyo and these include, among others, the forfeiture of all the benefits and privileges that she is supposed to receive from the government as the former president,” they said.

“In this regard the Ombudsman has administrative authority over her (Arroyo). If it is proven that Arroyo committed plunder in the case of the NBN-ZTE deal or in other cases, then she does not deserve these benefits.  – With Jess Diaz