Aloguinsan officials file motion for reconsideration

CEBU, Philippines - Former Aloguinsan mayor and now Vice Mayor Cynthia Moreno and other officials of the town filed their motion for reconsideration last Monday before the Office of the Ombudsman-Visayas, which formally charged them for violation of the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act.

Moreno and five others are facing a case that stemmed from the purchase of construction materials worth over P1 million without public bidding last 2007.

Charged along with Moreno are Municipal Budget Officer Nonela Villegas, Municipal Agricultural Officer Marilyn Flordeliza, Municipal Assessor John Lim, Municipal Engineer Orven Nengasca, Municipal Civil Registrar Pepito Manguilimotan and utility workers Gertrudes Ababon and Emilia Luz Celis.

Spokesman for the Visayas Ombudsman Virginia Palanca-Santiago said they could not act on the motion for reconsideration filed by the respondents if the information, (accusation in writing charging a person with an offense, subscribed by the prosecutor and filed with the court) was elevated to the Sandiganbayan.

She said they still have to see if the records are still in their office.

She added that if it was already elevated to the Sandiganbayan, all they could do is endorse the motion for reconsideration to the Sandiganbayan.

Earlier, the anti-graft office ruled that the respondents violated Republic Act 9184 or the Government Procurement Reform Act.

Felimon Georsua filed the complaint against Moreno, Celis, Villegas, Flordeliza, Nengasca, Maguilimotan, Lim, Ababon, municipal treasurer Maricar Rosario, revenue collection clerk Christopher Brigoli, inspection officer Primo Abajo, casual official canvasser Lyn Tojino and Jelyn Llorando.

Georsua accused them of violating the provisions of RA 3019 and RA 6713 or the Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees.

However, the alleged violation of RA 6713 was dismissed for lack of evidence, as well as the complaint against Tojino, Llorando, Abajo and Brigoli for lack of probable cause.

Georsua, in his complaint, stated the respondents obtained aluminum composite panels from Diamond Interior Industries Corp. worth P1,190,037.50 without public bidding. (FREEMAN)