ARMM official fears delay in misconduct case

COTABATO CITY, Philippines – An official of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) is apprehensive that the impeachment proceedings against Ombudsman Merceditas Gutierrez might unduly cause delay in the resolution of a case he filed against six respondents.

Abdelzanir Mohammad Isa, a directorate staff of the region’s Department of Transportation and Communications who was earlier suspended for cause by acting ARMM Gov. Ansaruddin Adiong, said he is worried that the resolution of the dishonesty, grave misconduct and insubordination case he filed against six respondents might be delayed due to the Ombudsman’s present predicament.

Cited as respondents in the case were ARMM-DOTC Secretary Alnie Burahim, her subordinate officials Roslaine Macao-Maniri, Omarsaquaff Datumanong, and Ahmsia Sambolawan Edris, and security guards Norhan Alsa and Sadath Sulaik.

The six respondents allegedly cooperated in building an earlier case against Isa that resulted in his suspension.

“I questioned the legality of the suspension order and filed an appeal with the Civil Service Commission as no formal charges were lodged against me, denying me of my right to due process,” Isa said.

He said things got worse when his office was forcibly opened and ransacked.