Ombudsman: Act on harassment complaint

THE feud between Regional State Prosecutor Fernando Gubalane and a businesswoman has reached top officials of the anti-graft office.

In a Sept. 7 letter, Tanodbayan Conchita Carpio-Morales directed Visayas Deputy Ombudsman Pelagio Apostol to take “appropriate action” on the complaint of Brenda Tan.

Tan, a resident of Lapu-Lapu City, earlier filed criminal and administrative charges against Gubalane for receiving “excessive” allowances from various local government units in Cebu.

She sought a six-month preventive suspension against Gubalane, whom she accused of ordering some staff to harass her.

In an earlier interview, Gubalane denied harassing the businesswoman. He filed a perjury complaint against her.

Gubalane said allowances are limited to 50 percent per local government unit and not 50 percent of the sum total of all allowances he is receiving. He said he uses part of the allowances for court activities and in the Department of Justice.

In her letter to the anti-graft office, Tan said a man came to her home last July 30 asking about her through neighbors.

She said she believed he was sent on Gubalane’s instruction.

“I and my family are no longer secure in our very own residence. I need whatever help you can give to stop this form of harassment,” said Tan in her letter to Apostol.