Ombudsman junks graft raps versus trader

Ombudsman Aniano Desierto has dismissed with finality the charge of grave misconduct for having violated the provisions of Republic Act No. 3016 otherwise known as The Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Law – against businessmen Ronaldo Salonga and Emmanuel Zapanta.

Complainant businesswoman Patricia Banez, a former lessee of the state-owned Payanig properties in Pasig City, filed the graft case against Salonga, former chairman of the Philippine Communications Sattellite (Philcomsat) and president of the Independent Realty Corp. (IRC) and the Mid-Pasig Land Development Corp. (MLDC) during the Estrada administration.

Banez had accused Salonga of collecting from her P1.2 million in alleged kickbacks for a 1998 lease settlement agreement.

The Ombudsman, however, did not believe Banez’s allegations, which it described as "incredible", "illogical" and "absurd."

In his acquittal order, Desierto found no substantial evidence to hold respondent "Ronnie" Salonga liable as charged. "There is also no proof whatsoever that Salonga took advantage of his position in IRC to demand such favor from Banez," Disierto pointed out.

The decision acquitting Salonga is a vindication of his unblemished integrity and honesty as a businessman and a former government official.