Former Marina engineer seeks TRO on dismissal

A FORMER engineer of the Maritime Industrial Authority (Marina) asked the court to  to stop implementation of an Ombudsman ruling that dismissed her from government service.

Lilah Rodas, former engineer of the Marina-Central Visayas, said the decision rendered against her is not final.

She filed a civil case last week against Marina director Nanette Dinopol and administrator Emerson Lorenzo.

Last Aug. 28, 2009, the Office of the Ombudsman held Rodas liable for “concealment or non-declaration” of her assets in the Statements of Assets, Liabilities, and Networth (SALN) from 1999 to 2003 and ordered her dismissal.

Rodas said she filed a motion for reconsideration to contest the ruling.

However,  Lorenzo issued a memorandum dated Aug. 11, requiring Dinopol to immediately implement her dismissal.

Rodas asked the court to issue a temporary restraining order against the respondents.

She was also indicted on charges of falsification of public documents in relation to her Statement of Assets of Liabilities (SALN).

The anti-graft office ordered Rodas to explain why her assets amounted to P900,000 in 2003 when her annual income was just P173,400.

The assets included a Mitsubishi Pajero and Toyota Surf worth P600,000 each.

Rodas also has personal properties, jewelry, appliances, and books valued at P300,000.

The Ombudsman said Rodas didn’t declare another source of income.

Graft investigation and prosecution officer Alfred Yann Oguis said Rodas’ acquisition of the properties constitutes “ill-gotten wealth.” Reporter Ador Vincent Mayol