Osmeña has until tomorrow to submit counter-affidavit

CEBU — The Office of the Ombudsman has warned Vice Gov. John Gregory Osmeña that he can no longer answer the charges against him in connection with a bogus foundation if he still fails to submit his counter-affidavit tomorrow.

In an order, graft investigator Sarah Jo Vergara said Osmeña’s failure to file his counter-affidavit tomorrow will be considered a waiver of his right to answer the charges against him.

For the third time on May 24, Osmeña asked the anti-graft office to extend the deadline for him to submit his counter-affidavit.

Just like in his first motion, Osmeña reasoned that his lawyer, Edgar Gica, the one well-versed with the case, has been busy with post-election duties and has not yet drafted his counter-affidavit.

While Vergara granted Osmeña’s third motion, she said it would be the last time that the anti-graft office would grant such a request.

In the first motion, Gica said the submission of his client’s answer was hampered by Osmeña’s gubernatorial campaign.

Osmeña is facing charges for alleged violation of the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act that Ombudsman director Virginia Palanca-Santiago recommended to be filed against him, provincial board member Victor Maambong and Osmeña’s executive assistant Wilfredo Mulla, who is facing a separate case of dishonesty.

Last month, the Ombudsman found sufficient grounds to upgrade its inquiry into the controversial Perdido Lex Foundation into a formal criminal case.

Also indicted are the supposed incorporators of the foundation, including Milagros Herrera, Fe Tan, Nancy Sia, Veronica Caceres, Teodora Limcangco and Michael Santos. — Freeman News Service