Ombudsman orders Coast Guard chief suspended

Ombudsman Conchita-Carpio Morales. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO/ MARIANNE BERMUDEZ

Ombudsman Conchita Carpio Morales has ordered the preventive suspension of Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) commandant Rear Adm. William Melad and 24 other high-ranking officers, some now retired, pending a probe on the alleged irregularities in the use of P67.53-million funds.

The order arose from the administrative case for grave misconduct, serious dishonesty and conduct prejudicial to the best interest of the service pending before the Office of the Ombudsman.

In a statement on Tuesday, the Ombudsman’s media bureau said the officers were accused of disregarding procurement regulations by using cash advances amounting to millions of pesos in purchasing office supplies and information technology equipment.

The officers allegedly presented spurious liquidation documents, indicating the possibility of fraud and misrepresentation.

The Ombudsman also took note of an April 15, 2015, audit observation memorandum issued by the Commission on Audit.

Morales directed Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade to implement the suspension order and prevent them from using their positions to affect the investigation.

“The respondents’ respective positions allow them to wield influence on possible witnesses and to access public records, [and] their continued stay in office may not only prejudice the cases against them but also allow them to commit further acts of malfeasance,” Morales said.

The suspension order has left the Coast Guard ranks demoralized, even as the organization continued to carry on with its tasks, Coast Guard spokesperson Commander Armand Balilo said.

“Our morale is low even as we continue our job,” Balilo said. “In fact, we are preparing to send our ships to Bajo de Masinloc and start preparations for the arrival our our second multirole response vessel Malabrigo. Our work continues.”

Balilo, however, declined to comment until they read the documents.

“We will abide by the decision, but without prejudice to the legal remedies that may be available to the persons involved. They would still do their jobs,” he added.