Ombud: Dismiss from service former Marina 7 director

The former regional director of the Maritime Industry Authority (Marina) in Central Visayas was ordered dismissed from service for acquiring unexplained wealth.

The Office of the Ombudsman in the Visayas found Glenn Cabañez guilty of serious dishonesty and grave misconduct.

The anti-graft office also ordered the forfeiture of Cabañez’ retirement benefits, cancellation of his eligibility, and perpetual disqualification from re-employment in the government service.

Secretary Manuel Roxas III of the Department of Transportation and Communication is mandated to implement the penalty “immediately” upon receipt of the order from the Ombudsman Visayas.

Graft investigation and prosecution officer Yvette Christine Labrador-Soleng found probable cause to hold Cabañez liable of administrative charges filed against him.

“Respondent (Cabañez) concealed and distorted the truth as to how he was able to acquire such amount of wealth which was manifestly disproportionate to his lawful income,” Soleng said in her resolution which was approved by Deputy Ombudsman Pelagio Apostol.

The issue stemmed from the complaint filed by the Field Investigation Office of the anti-graft office.

The Ombudsman looked into Cabañez’s SALN and other available docouments from various offices and agencies.

The examination on the assets of Cabañez and his wife included all of their known and declared sources of income, the anti-graft office said.

The investigation showed that in 1998, Cabañez declared a motor vehicle worth P440,000 in his SALN.

However, his annual gross salary for that year was only P264,732.

The anti-graft office said Cabañez acquired unexplained wealth in the amount of P175,268.

In 1999, the respondent declared a motor vehicle worth P525,000 when his annual income was only P264,732.

And so, the anti-graft office said Cabañez acquired  unexplained wealth worth P260,268 in 1999.

In 2000, the Ombudsman said Cabañez financed the renovation of his real property in San Pedro, Laguna amounting to over P1.4 million.

Cabañez also increased his personal assets such as pieces of jewelry, appliance and furniture, books, and additional declaration of cash in the total amount of P360,000.

His income that year was only P460,098.64.

The Ombudsman said Cabañez acquired an unexplained wealth of P1.4 million in 2000.

In 2007, the respondent’s annual income was only P573,114 but he was able to acquire a Toyota RAV4 for P1.7 million, the Ombudsman said.

“Based on the foregoing, complainant claims that respondent acquired wealth amounting to P3,164,470.31 which is manifestly disproportionate to the legitimate income of the latter and his wife,” the anti-graft investigator said.

In his counter-affidavit, Cabañez denied the accusations.

He said the Ombudsman did not consider the income of his wife in the acquisition of the properties.

Cabañez said his wife had been employed for 15 years at the United Cocount Planters Life Assurance Corp. and had a basic monthly salary of P18,427 or an annual income of P221,124.

He said his wife was eventually employed as a faculty member of the Perpetual Help System in 2002.

Regarding the motor vehicles, he said they were obtained through loans.

However, the anti-graft office didn’t give credence to Cabanez’s claims because he didn’t present papers to prove his claims.

Other than the administrative case, he was also charged for violating Republic Act 1379 or the The Act for the Forfeiture of Unlawfully Acquired Property.

Cabanez is presently the port manager of the Philippine Ports Authority in Cagayan de Oro City. Ador Vincent S. Mayol, Reporter