Zaldy Ampatuan. AFP FILE PHOTO
MAGUINDANAO massacre suspect Zaldy Ampatuan was perpetually barred from holding public office for failure to disclose his assets in his Statement of Assets and Liabilities Net Worth (SALN).
In a statement, Ombudsman Conchita Carpio Morales found former Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) governor Ampatuan administratively liable for Serious Dishonesty and Grave Misconduct over his failure to disclose his assets in his SALN from 2000 to 2009.
In its lifestyle check, the Ombudsman said Ampatuan failed to disclose 14 real estate properties worth P12,336,416.9 in Davao, Cotabato and Makati cities.
Ampatuan also failed to declare ownership of 15 vehicles worth P25,476,116 and 26 firearms worth P5,914,000, the Ombudsman said.
Zaldy Ampatuan is the son of Andal Ampatuan Sr., who died in a stroke on July 17. He is the brother of former Maguindanao mayor Andal Ampatuan Jr. They are detained on murder charges over the Maguindanao massacre.
Because the Ombudsman can no longer dismiss Ampatuan from service, the Ombudsman imposed the alternative penalty of fine equivalent to his salary for one year, in addition to the accessory penalties of cancellation of eligibility, forfeiture of retirement benefits, perpetual disqualification from holding public office and prohibition from taking civil service examinations.
The Ombudsman also found out that the amount of his properties was manifestly and grossly disproportionate to his lawful and legitimate income during his eight-year incumbency.
“The respondent not only failed to disclose all his and his wife’s assets but he also failed to provide any explanation as to how he and/or his wife acquired these assets… An honest public servant will have no difficulty in gathering, collating and presenting evidence that will prove his credibility, but a dishonest one will only provide shallow excuses in his explanations,” the decision read.
“Respondent’s repeated failure to make truthful statements in all his SALNs not only transgressed established rules but is also an indicia of his willful intent to circumvent the law,” it added.
Section 8(a) of the Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials mandates public officials and employees to submit under oath a truthful statement of their assets, liabilities, net worth and financial and business interests.
Meanwhile, Sections 7 and 8 of the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act require all public officers and employees to accomplish and submit a true, detailed and sworn statement of their assets and liabilities.
The Ampatuans and their followers are detained for their involvement in the massacre where the 58 persons, 32 of which journalists, were found brutally killed and buried in a shallow grave at a hilltop in Ampatuan town on Nov. 23, 2009.