Ombudsman junks Diño’s charges vs SBMA execs

Martin Diño

SUBIC BAY FREEPORT, Philippines–Citing lack of merit, the Office of the Ombudsman dismissed a complaint that former Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) chair Martin Diño filed against five senior officials of the agency two years ago.

In a decision signed on July 29 and made public recently, Ombudsman Samuel Martires dropped the charges of grave misconduct, serious dishonesty, gross ignorance of the law, and grave abuse of authority/oppression against the officials in connection with Diño’s claim for salary as SBMA chair.

Cleared were SBMA Senior Deputy Administrator Ramon Agregado, Deputy Administrator for Finance Antonietta Sanqui, Treasury Department manager Myrna Caseja, Accounting Department manager Emilia Canonizado, and Budget Department manager Editha Marzal.

The Ombudsman said the SBMA officials acted only in accordance with the law.

Diño now serves as undersecretary of the Department of the Interior and Local Government for barangay affairs.

In his complaint, Diño said he never received his salary or compensation except for per diems on regular board meetings he attended.

Diño had also told the Ombudsman that his claims for salary were rejected by the respondents despite several oral requests.

The SBMA officials, however, denied the charges and argued that under the law it was not Diño who was the real plantilla officer, but the SBMA administrator who also serves as chief executive officer.