PB alerted on plaint vs. Capitol officials

CEBU, Philippines – The Office of the Ombudsman-Visayas has called the attention of the members of the Provincial Board over the complaint filed against Capitol officials regarding the alleged free use by the father and brother of Governor Gwendolyn Garcia of the facilities at the legislative building.

Vice Governor Gregorio Sanchez Jr. informed members of the PB that on January 7, 2009, the Office of the Ombudsman-Visayas forwarded to them the anonymous complaints filed against representatives Pablo Garcia and his son Pablo John Garcia regarding the alleged free use of water at the legislative building.

The complaints also cited the CFI Cooperative managed by the governor's mother, Esperanza.

Assistant Ombudsman for the Visayas Virginia Palanca-Santiago was the one who called the attention of Sanchez and members of the provincial board.

Santiago, in her letter to Sanchez, said that sufficient time has already elapsed since their first referral letter dated January 7, 2009, which was sent to his office.

Santiago said that the last communication they received from them was dated March 5, 2009, where Sanchez forwarded the said complaint to the Secretary of the PB. Sanchez said he was surprised that for more than a year the complaint was not included in the agenda.

When asked for comment, PB secretary Anecita Pasaylo admitted her mistake and asked for forgiveness.

Sanchez wants the Committee on Complaints and Investigation headed by PB member Joven Mondigo Jr. to conduct the investigation but Mondigo reasoned out that his committee is tasked only to conduct investigations on municipal and city officials and he does not have jurisdiction over the issue.

But Sanchez said that there is a need for them to act on the matter because their attention was called by the ombudsman. (THE FREEMAN)