Rallos lot controversy: Tom, 4 others told to answer charges

CEBU, Philippines - The Office of the Ombudsman-Visayas has ordered outgoing south district Rep. Tomas Osmeña and four other respondents in the criminal and administrative complaints filed by one of the Rallos heirs to answer the charges within 10 days upon receipt of the order.

Deputy Ombudsman for the Visayas Pelagio Apostol found sufficient grounds to formally look into the complaints of Jack Rallos accusing Osmeña, Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) Undersecretary Francisco “Bimbo” Fernandez, court sheriff Antonio Bellones, and private individuals Lucina and Maurillo Rallos of graft and corruption for allowing payment of the controversial Rallos property in Barangay Sambag I.

Jack, grandson of the late Francisco Rallos, one of the original heirs of Fr. Vicente Rallos who owns the property, said that Osmeña released the over P56 million payment for the property despite knowing that the city government   has no legal obligation.

Jack claims that he personally warned Osmeña about the presence of the convenio or an agreement between the city government and the original heirs donating the property for public use.

Jack said that Osmeña allowed the release of the P56, 196,369.42 during his term as Cebu City mayor to the heirs of Fr. Vicente Rallos to the prejudice of the government.

“Finding enough basis to proceed with the criminal and administrative investigation of the aforementioned case, herein respondents are hereby ordered to file counter-affidavit and other controverting evidence to the complaint,” the order reads.

The complainant was also given another 10 days to comment on the counter-affidavit of the respondents. Apostol warned that a motion to dismiss will not be entertained. —/FPL (FREEMAN)