Ombudsman Morales confirms dismissal of criminal, admin case vs Bello

Ombudsman Morales. Photo by VINCE F. NONATO / INQUIRER

Ombudsman Conchita Carpio Morales on Thursday confirmed she had dismissed the criminal and administrative case against Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III and denied the timing was meant to avoid affecting his candidacy to be her replacement.

In a chance interview with reporters in Pasay City, Morales also disclosed the case involved former Senator Ramon Revilla Sr. as one of Bello’s more than 20 co-respondents.

The dismissed case, which reached preliminary investigation just last year, concerned the alleged failure to enforce the “liquidated damage” clause of a yet-unspecified government contract.

This refers to the penalties incurred by the contractor in cases of delays or unmet targets.

Morales said she dismissed the case for “insufficient evidence.” The Office of the Ombudsman promised to release a copy of the resolution within the day.

She denied dismissing the case so that Bello would not be disqualified from seeking her position under Rule 4, Section 5 of the Rules of the Judicial and Bar Council.

“They were ripe for resolution. They kept on filing motions for early resolution. Perhaps, they were confident the case did not merit serious consideration,” she said.   /muf