Morales OKs criminal raps vs 2 ex-Ombudsman execs

Ombudsman Conchita Carpio-Morales. INQUIRER file photo

MANILA, Philippines—Ombudsman Conchita Carpio-Morales has approved the filing of criminal charges against former Deputy Ombudsman for Luzon Mark E. Jalandoni and former Assistant Ombudsman Nennette M. de Padua for allegedly tampering with official documents.

The information for 13 counts of falsification of public documents and 56 counts of infidelity in the custody of public documents through concealment under the Revised Penal Code would be filed Tuesday in the Sandiganbayan.

Morales said the filing of charges against the two top former Ombudsman officials should send a strong message to the public and corrupt officials about the seriousness of the Office of the Ombudsman’s anticorruption campaign.

“The office shall continue to run after and prosecute all—even our own people—found to be involved in shenanigans that compromise the integrity of public service. We shall continue cleaning our own backyard,” Morales said.

In two separate orders signed on Dec. 5, 2013, but released only on Monday, Morales approved the recommendation of the Internal Affairs Board (IAB) affirming the July 25, 2013, resolution and denying the motions for reconsideration filed by Jalandoni and De Padua.

In the July 25 resolution, dismissed for lack of probable cause were the criminal complaint against co-respondents Amie Lou Fernandez, associate graft investigation officer; Grace Anne Arnan, graft prevention and control officer; and Ruby Ann Medallada, administrative aide.

However, by order on Jan. 22, 2014, Morales granted the motion for reconsideration filed by former Ombudsman executive assistant Rosalyn D. Martinez after she agreed to become a prosecution witness.

The case stemmed from a complaint filed with the IAB in June 2011 by former Overall Deputy Ombudsman Orlando Casimiro who discovered the tampered decisions, resolutions, orders and other official documents which the respondents worked on during their tenure in the office. Casimiro was then the Acting Ombudsman after Ombudsman Merceditas Gutierrez resigned in April 2011.

The IAB established that there was a systematic tampering of official documents that had already been reviewed and signed by approving authorities, including former Ombudsman Gutierrez, by the superimposing or “patching” of the signatory portions with pieces of paper bearing Jalandoni’s name.

In at least 56 cases, the release of already-approved documents was delayed because it was made to appear that Jalandoni had yet to act on them.

In at least 13 cases, the “patches” were signed by Jalandoni, making it appear that he was authorized to sign the documents, when in fact they had been signed by the approving authorities.

In a separate decision dated July 25, 2013, Morales found Jalandoni administratively liable for grave misconduct and conduct prejudicial to the best interest of the service.

The administrative complaint as against De Padua and Martinez was dismissed for lack of administrative disciplinary jurisdiction, the two having separated from the service in good faith.

Fernandez and Medallada were found administratively liable for simple misconduct and were meted out the penalty of suspension for one month and one day, while the administrative complaint against Arnan was dismissed for lack of substantial evidence.