Saavedra pushes complaint for plunder

CEBU, Philippines - Businessman Crisologo Saavedra has pushed for the investigation on plunder against Cebu Governor Gwendolyn Garcia and other Capitol officials for the purchase of Balili property.

Saavedra filed an opposition to the manifestation and reiterative motion of Garcia asking for dismissal of the plunder case he filed before the Office of the Ombudsman.

Saavedra also filed yesterday an urgent request for investigation and to conduct another preliminary investigation on the purchase of the Balili property in Tinaan, Naga City.

“The intention of my letter request for investigation as mandated by law against the respondents for plunder is without malice, in good faith, not to harass, destroy the government officials’ reputations but to seek truth and justice for the taxpayers in my advocacy against corruption,” Saavedra said.

All evidence he presented are based on the findings of the final evaluation report signed by former Ombudsman Merciditas Gutierrez dated September 27, 2010 now being formally investigated by the anti-graft body.

Garcia has filed a motion to dismiss the said graft complaint which Saavedra also opposed.

Saavedra said that his letter-request for investigation for plunder is separate from the anti-graft complaint in which he is also one of the complainants.

He pointed out the letter dated August 14, 2009 signed by Provincial Legal Officer Marino Martinquilla and Garcia “that the Balili property is beyond the commerce of men and could not be owned or sold by anyone” which for him is “a testimony of admission of guilt after the fact.”

The letter stated that the property, when surveyed, shows that an area of 80,124 square meters more or less is submerged in seawater and that an area of 14,402 square meters is a mangrove area.

Saavedra said the survey should have been done before the full payment was made last October 7, 2008 in the total amount of P98,926,800..

He also mentioned that the large amount involved and the participation of prominent high profile government officials closely identified with the administration of former President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo requires that the case of plunder should be pursued as per policy of President Benigno Aquino III to discourage and stop corruption in his administration. — (FREEMAN)