2 Quezon City dads suspended over ghost employees

MANILA, Philippines - The Office of the Ombudsman has suspended for six months two Quezon City councilors for allegedly having “ghost” employees. 

Ombudsman Conchita Carpio-Morales yesterday said a fact-finding probe has found evidence to charge Councilors Roderick Paulate and Francisco Calalay Jr. with graft and malversation of public funds through falsification of public documents.

Morales said the Office of the Ombudsman’s Field Investigation Office also lodged administrative complaints for grave misconduct, serious dishonesty and falsification of official documents against the two.

“Since a preliminary investigation will now be conducted to allow them to answer the allegations, a six-month preventive suspension order was issued to prevent them from influencing the probe,” Morales said.

The Ombudsman approved the recommendation of a fact-finding team led by Assistant Ombudsman Joselito Fangon.

The councilors’ liaison officers identified as Flordeliza Alvarez and Vicente Bajamunde were also suspended without pay.

The case against Paulate and Calalay stemmed from a complaint filed by Jimmy Lee Davis and his lawyer, former senator Aquilino Pimentel Jr.

The complainants accused the councilors of maintaining “job order personnel” under their respective offices which turned out to be fictitious persons who received monthly salaries ranging from P2,500 to P5,000.

Calalay allegedly maintained 29 ghost employees from January to November 2010 while Paulate had 30 from July to November 2010.

Calalay refused to comment on the filing of criminal and administrative charges against him, saying he has yet to see a copy of the Ombudsman order.

“I need to read first the complaint so I can properly react on the issue,” he said.

Meanwhile, The STAR tried to get Paulate’s reaction but his staff said that he was not in his office. – With Rhodina Villanueva