RAPS AGAINST BUSINESSMAN, OMBUD OFFICIAL
ABOUT 18 persons charged with the 2005 overpriced purchase of computer units in Lapu-Lapu City filed a complaint against a businessman and Asst. Ombudsman Virginia Palanca-Santiago before the Ombudsman-Visayas yesterday.
In their complaint, they accused Santiago of bias, malice and grave abuse of discretion for filing charges against them in relation to the purchase of computer units intended for schools in Lapu-Lapu City.
The complainants, some of whom are still in government, also accused businessman Efrain Pelaez of obtaining documents on official government transactions without using the letterhead bearing the seal of the Ombudsman.
The complainants requested the Ombudsman to order Santiago’s dismissal and sought payment of P3,300,000 as actual damages; P100,000 as moral damages; and P100,000 as exemplary damages.
In an interview, Deputy Ombudsman for the Visayas Pelagio Apostol said he will inhibited himself from handling the case.
He said he will endorse the complaint to the Internal Affairs Board of the anti-graft office.
The Ombudsman has jurisdiction over public official and employees only.
The Ombudsman-Visayas earlier ordered the six-month suspension of the 18 complainants for their involvement in the overpriced purchase of 470 personal computers.
Late last year, Santiago requested Lapu-Lapu City Mayor Paz Radaza to give the anti-graft office a report on whether or not the penalty has been carried out.
In 2007, Pelaez filed a complaint against Paz’s husband, Rep. Arturo Radaza of Lapu-Lapu City, and 18 others over the computers.
The complainants said the Lapu-Lapu city government exercised its right to collect unpaid taxes and thus issued notices of violations and orders demanding compliance of the rules and regulations.
Pelaez purportedly refused to pay tax to the government.
The businessman, they said, eventually entered into a compromise agreement for his tax liabilities.
The complainants said Santiago played “blind, deaf, and mute” although the media has reported about Pelaez’ actuations.
Instead, Santiago allegedly accepted the petition for accreditation of Pelaez’ Mactan Island Chamber of Commerce and Industry Philippines Inc. as a corruption prevention unit.
Pelaez then used the logo of the Ombudsman to obtain copies of official documents.
In 2007, a letter was sent to Santiago to look into Pelaez’s activities.
However, the complainants said Santiago hasn’t made any response, a violation of the Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Official and Employees that mandates public officials to respond to letters within 15 working days from receipt of the letter. Reporter Ador Vincent Mayol and Correspondent Norman V. Mendoza
CPA TO IMPROVE SERVICES
THE Cebu Ports Authority (CPA) said it will automate operations to enhance security and improve services to the public within the year.
Oscar Lopez, CPA director for port security, said their plans include setting up patrol booths, closed-circuit TV cameras, a mass transport system for outgoing passengers and parking areas to the passenger terminal, among others.
Lopez said patrol booths will prevent stragglers from begging for coins from passenger vessels. At present, there are 50 CCTV cameras installed in the port areas.
Lopez said they will also designate fast lane and priority seats for senior citizens and pregnant mothers, nursing mother and physically challenged individuals in CPA passenger terminals.
Lopez disclosed their plans during a meeting with police and transport agencies yesterday.
Senior Supt. Melvin Ramon Buenafe, Cebu City police chief, said illegal dispatchers in the port area will be arrested.
Rafael Yap of the Cebu City Traffic Operations Management (Citom) said they will enforce traffic rules on drivers in coordination with Land Transportation Office (LTO) and the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB).
In line with the Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) study of the Cebu city government, Citom is looking into the possibility of setting additional traffic devices in Cebu City. Correspondent Rhea Ruth V. Rosell