Ombudsman dismisses Andanar pa’s ethics case

Prosecutors of the Office of the Ombudsman withdrew the ethics case of former Interior Undersecretary Wencelito Andanar, the father of Communications Secretary Martin Andanar, pending before the Sandiganbayan for his alleged failure to declare a property in his statement of assets, liabilities and net worth (SALN).

The Office of the Special Prosecutor informed the Sandiganbayan Seventh Division that Ombudsman Conchita Carpio Morales has granted Andanar’s motion for reconsideration to dismiss the information for lack of probable cause.

Morales gave credence to Andanar’s claim that by virtue of a 1999 Waiver of Rights Agreement, all his properties have been transferred to the ownership of his five children.

“Such being the case, the respondent was justified in not declaring subject property in his 2004 and 2005 SALNs and did not violate Section 8 of Republic Act 6713,” Morales said in a resolution approved Nov. 2.

“It is respectfully prayed of this Honorable Court that this Compliance be duly noted and that the prosecution’s Motion to Withdraw Informations be approved,” the Ombudsman prosecutors told the court.

Andanar was charged with two counts of violation of Section 8 of Republic Act 6713 or the Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees for his failure to declare a property in his 2004 and 2005 SALN.

“That on April 30, 2006, or sometime prior or subsequent thereto in Manila, Philippines and within the jurisdiction of this Honorable Court, accused, Wencelito T. Andanar, then a public officer being an Undersecretary (Salary Grade 30) at the Department of Interior and Local Government, committing the offense in relation to his office, did then and there willfully, unlawfully and criminally fail to declare his property covered by Transfer Certificate of Title (TCT) No. T-9328, in his sworn Statement of Assets, Liabilities and Net Worth for the year 2005, which the law requires to be declared therein, to the damage and prejudice of the public interest,” the complaint read.

Andanar was an original stalwart of the Partido Demokratiko Pilipino-Lakas ng Bayan (PDP-Laban), the ruling party of President Rodrigo Duterte.

Andanar served as Department of the Interior and Local Government undersecretary for police matters and transnational crime and was briefly appointed as acting interior chief by former President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo./rga