MORE GRAFT CASES HIT DEFENSOR

ADDITIONAL criminal and administrative cases were filed against Iloilo Governor Arthur D. Defensor Sr. before the Office of the Ombudsman on Oct. 30, 2018 for alleged misuse of public funds during the 2013 elections.

Former provincial administrator and freelance journalist Manuel “Boy” Mejorada is the complainant in the cases.

Defensor faces a pile of offenses:

• 67 counts of technical malversation as defined by Article 220 of the Revised Penal Code;

• 67 counts of violation of Section 3 (a), (e) and (g) of Republic Act No. 3019 (Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act);

• 14 counts of violation of Section 1, paragraph 2 of the Commission on Elections (Comelec) Resolution No. 9585 or the implementing rules of the Omnibus Election Code;

• serious dishonesty; grave misconduct; gross neglect of duty; and conduct of prejudicial to the best interest of the service.

Mejorada’s complaint affidavit alleged that Defensor committed the violations sometime in March 2013 and the succeeding months.

In an interview, Mejorada said the case are related to the release of financial aids to people’s organization (POs) and non-government organizations (NGOs), which were sourced from the Disbursement Acceleration Program (DAP).

The Supreme Court has declared DAP as illegal and unconstitutional.

“The mere act of disbursing is already an offense for technical malversation,” Mejorada said.

The Iloilo Provincial Capitol allegedly released funds without following proper procedure, he added.

The governor also allegedly released financial assistance during the 45-day campaign period in violation of elections laws.

“Violation gihapon sang Omnibus Election Code kay gin-sige panagtag tseke even during the 45-day campaign order which started on March 29, 2013 up to May 13, 2013. Para sa ila, daw normal lang, sige nila ya pagwa ang kwarta,” Mejorada said.

This is the second tranche of graft cases Mejorada filed against Defensor.

On Oct 18, 2018, Mejorada also filed cases with the Ombudsman accusing the governor of technical malversation of public funds under Article 220 of the Revised Penal Code, violation of Comelec Resolution No. 9585 for releasing educational and livelihood assistance during the 2013 election period.

Mejorada said the second batch of cases involved huge amounts of DAP funds.

“So mas dalagko ini nga kantidad kay pina-kadako nila nga ginahatag sa kada NGO kag PO is P50, 000. Ang iban gani milyon eh. May ara lain nga laws nga gin-violate,” he said.

Defensor was not at the Capitol when sought for his reaction. He is scheduled to hold a press conference today where he is expected to issue his comment.

Provincial Legal Officer Dennis Ventilacion said they will wait for the official copy of the complaint before he comments.

“Subong wala pa kami sing  kabaton sang iya nga complaint. Wala pa gani ma-serve sagovernor ang una niya nga gin-file nga kaso so we welcome the filing of cases para makasabat kami,” Ventilacion said.

Ventilacion said the Ombudsman usually gives respondents, in this case the governor, at least 10 days to file a reply-affidavit.

“Pag-receive mo, hatagan ka ten days mag-submit sang imo counter affidavit ukon ang imo nga sabat pero kung ano kadugay ang Ombudsman magserbe na sa capitol, wala ta kabalo,” he said

Ventilacion added that they have no idea regarding Mejorada’s motive in filing the cases.

“Kung ano man ang iya nga motibo, iya na na. Ang amon ‘ya kay ginaakusar kami, ginaakusar ang gobernador, masabat lang kami ‘ya,” he added.

‘NO POLITICS’

Mejorada dismissed claims that politics motivated him to file cases against Defensor.

He said he has been suing many public officials before as part of his personal crusade against graft and corruption in government.

He cited the cases he filed against former Iloilo 2nd district congressman Augusto Syjuco Jr. which are now being heard at the Sandiganbayan.

He also filed cases against Senator Franklin Drilon and former Iloilo City Mayor Jed Patrick Mabilog without anyone backing him up, he added.

SOURCE: The Daily Guardian

Special thanks to: