CESB, DOLE execs to be investigated over traffic row

MANILA, Philippines - After a year and following the resignation of Ombudsman Merceditas Gutierrez, a graft case against two top officials of the Career Executive Service Board (CESB) and the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) finally moves forward at the Office of the Ombudsman.

In a resolution obtained by The STAR, Assistant Ombudsman Aleu Amante ordered a full-blown preliminary investigation on the complaint against CESB executive director Ma. Anthonette Allones and DOLE Assistant Secretary Ma. Joji Aragon filed by immigration agent Noel Bocaling over a traffic altercation in Manila during the election campaign period last year.

Amante said there is ample basis to investigate the respondents for charges of violation of Section 3 of Republic Act 3019 (Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act) and Section 4 of RA 6713 (Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials).

The case stemmed from a complaint filed by Noel Bocaling, a special investigator of the Bureau of Immigration, who said that on April 5, 2010, his Foton van was bumped and damaged by a Nissan Sentra without license plates.

Bocaling said when he alighted to confront the passengers of the other car, its driver – identified as Eric Villasotes – got out of the car, armed with .45-caliber pistol and introduced himself as a “Sgt. Victorino,” allegedly a “member” of the Armed Forces of the Philippines.

It turned out that the driver was escorting another vehicle, an Isuzu Crosswind, with Allones and Aragon as passengers.

Bocaling said since an election-related gun ban was then in effect, he asked Allones and Aragon if Villasote has a gun ban exemption from the Commission on Elections. The officials allegedly replied that they got an exemption from no less than then President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.