Ombudsman files graft raps vs ex-assistant prosecutor Gilera

MANILA, Philippines – The Office of the Ombudsman filed graft charges against a former local prosecutor and seven other government employees, a lawyer said in a statement Tuesday.

Attorney Mary Rawnsle Lopez, spokesperson of Overall Deputy Ombudsman, now acting Ombudsman Orlando Casimiro, said Casimiro approved the filing of criminal case against Gaudiosio Gilera, former assistant city prosecutor of Malolos Prosecutor’s Office, for violation of the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act before the Sandiganbayan.

Gilera allegedly demanded financial assistance for the repainting of his white Mitsubishi Lancer from complainant Macario Pagdanganan in December 2004 in exchange for the favorable resolution of his case.

“The latter [Gilera] who was supposed to be the administrator of justice was now accused of causing injustice to the complainant. The condemnable acts of the respondent should not be tolerated as the public would lose trust and confidence in our justice system,” said Lopez.

Meanwhile, Casimiro also approved the recommendation to charge Danilo Collantes, former provincial engineer for Rizal, of two counts of violation of Section 8 of Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees after he allegedly failed to declare his Statements of Assets, Liabilities and Net Worth (SALN) in 2001 and 2002.

Casimiro, in his approved resolution, said the office found enough evidence that would support the case against Collantes.

In a separate case, Lopez also noted that several officials of the Cordon Water District in Cordon, Isabela were charged with graft – its General Manager Godofredo Vicmudo, board chairman Gene Naval, and board of directors Federico Fontanilla, Evangeline Javonillo, Rodrigo Gaun and Efren De Vera.

The officials allegedly held back the wages of bookkeeper Felix Camangeg and cashier Mary Jane Aguinaldo amounting to at least half a million pesos.

Camanganeg and Aguinaldo complained that their accumulated benefits and salaries as of Dec. 4, 2008 should have been P273, 621.00 and P244, 304.00 respectively.

Records showed that the amount was for, among others, unpaid salaries from February 2007 to November 2008, cash gift, and 13th month pay.

“It is indubitable that the award of backwages to the complainants was justified and their failure to receive the same is without legal basis,” Casimiro said.