Deputy ombudsman to inhibit self from board

CEBU CITY — Sincere about going through an investigation and clearing his name, Deputy Ombudsman for the Visayas Primo Miro said he will inhibit himself from the Internal Affairs Board of which he is a member.

Ombudsman Simeon Marcelo has ordered the board to investigate Miro after he modified a decision that eventually cleared two Customs officials of liability for the mysterious disappearance of M/V Great Faith.

The ship was seized for its load of smuggled rice but disappeared while under Customs custody.

Because deputy ombudsmen automatically become members of the Internal Affairs Board, Miro becomes a member of the board tasked to investigate him.

"I will inhibit myself if there is already a formal investigation," Miro said.

In a complaint they filed with the Office of the Ombudsman in Manila, Customs Intelligence and Investigation Service agent Ely Gealan, Customs marine engine man Bienvenido Caluyo and maritime policeman Rodolfo Cantero accused Miro of gravely abusing his discretion when he ordered them dismissed from the service.

Miro had found the three guilty of grave misconduct, gross neglect of duty and conduct prejudicial to the best interest of the service.

This decision prompted the three men to have Miro investigated by the Internal Affairs Board, questioning why Miro unilaterally changed the findings of graft investigator Mona Chica Guillamac and cleared the top Customs officials involved in the disappearance of M/V Great Faith.

But because Miro is a member of the very board tasked to investigate him, he will inhibit himself from the panel.

M/V Great Faith, loaded with 20,000 bags of rice, was anchored at the Ouano wharf in Looc, Mandaue City when it disappeared on Dec. 25, 2001. — Freeman News Service