Ombudsman to probe Osmeña raps vs Garcias

CEBU — The Office of the Ombudsman will open a fact-finding inquiry into the allegations of plunder leveled by former Sen. John Osmeña against Gov. Gwendolyn Garcia and her father Pablo, the former governor.

Ombudsman director Virginia Palanca-Santiago said Osmeña’s complaint did not contain documentary evidence to support the allegations.

Through a fact-finding inquiry, Santiago said the Ombudsman would determine if there is substantial evidence to formally charge the Garcias administratively or criminally, or both.

Santiago said her office will form a panel of graft investigators to handle the inquiry and to gather documentary evidence from other government agencies.

Osmeña accused the Garcias of using provincial government funds to finance Gwendolyn’s gubernatorial campaign in the May 10 polls.

The Garcias are now preparing a P50-million damage suit against Osmeña. Lawyer Pablo John Garcia, the governor’s brother, said they would also file charges of perjury and malicious prosecution against the former senator.

Osmeña accused the Garcias of diverting P1 billion, disguised as anti-drug campaign funds, from the provincial coffers to Gwendolyn’s gubernatorial bid. — Freeman News Service