DA exec charged
By J.Lo
"Resolution of this case is without prejudice to conduct of fact-finding investigation against other public officers and private individuals responsible for irregularities in said project," Office of the Ombudsman has ordered filing of graft and falsification charges against suspended Department of Agriculture (DA) assistant secretary Kristine Evangelista, Food Terminal Inc. (FTI) vice-president for operations John Gabriel Benedict Trinidad III and 16 other individuals in connection with alleged profiteering and price manipulation of onions late last year.
In 26-page resolution, dispositive portion was obtained by media, ombudsman found probable cause to indict Evangelista and Trinidad with violation of Section 3 (e) of Republic Act 3019 or Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act and falsification of documents as defined and penalized under Article 172 of Revised Penal Code.
Also ordered charged with Evangelista and Trinidad were 16 individuals from DA, FTI and Bonena Multipurpose Cooperative: Israel Reguyal, Benedict Libres, Marlon Pagsisihan, Jocelyn Jane, Rossul Batadhay, Romy Jimeno, Charlito Ylanan, Francisco Laplana III, Arnold Osorio, Angelo Lajom, Randy Santos, Erickson Cortez, Ruben Bautista, Vince Lorenzo, Windell Glenn Canaan and A.J. Bamala.
Ombudsman , on the other hand, dismissed charges against DA senior undersecretary Domingo Panganiban, DA administrative officer V Eunice Biblanias, DA officer-in-charge chief accountant Lolita Jamela, FTI president and chief executive officer Robert Tan and Meanwhile, in FTI Budget Division head Juanita Lualhati "for lack of probable cause."
In separate decision, ombudsman has ordered Evangelista's dismissal for administrative offenses of grave misconduct and conduct prejudicial to best interest of service.
Trinidad was likewise ordered dismissed for administrative offenses of gross neglect of duty and conduct prejudicial to the best interest of the service.
Aside from their dismissal, ombudsman also imposed against them accessory penalties of cancellation of civil service eligibility, forfeiture of retirement benefits and perpetual disqualification from holding public office.
Ombudsman said in event Evangelista and Trinidad are already separated from DA and FTI, respectively, dismissal is convertible to fine equivalent to their salary for one year. Ombudsman said fine "may be deductible from respondent/s' retirement benefits, accrued leave credits or any receivable from his/her office."
Ombudsman , on other hand, dismissed administrative charges against Panganiban, Biblanias, Jamela and Lualhati due to "insufficiency of evidence."
Administrative case against Tan, meanwhile, was dismissed following ombudsman's approval of his manifestation to become state witness and provide additional information relevant to prosecution of cases in court.
Ombudsman has yet to release to the media full copy of its two rulings.
No comments:
Post a Comment