Ramirez assails Ombuds suspension

CEBU, Philippines - Former Medellin mayor Ricardo Ramirez has assailed the decision of the Ombudsman-Visayas suspending him and other municipal officials for two months for clearing the access to the old Kawit wharf, which has been opened for the public.

Ramirez said the lo-gic of Graft Investigation and Prosecution Officer Vincent Deo Albeos is "beyond comprehension when the structure was illegally built."

He said that before constructing a house or any structure for that matter, a building permit must be secured first otherwise the structure will be considered built illegally.

"May I ask you Mr. Graft Investigator Albeos, who has the burden of proof to show whether that house was illegally built or not? We, the local government unit or the owner of the house?" Ramirez said.

The case against Ramirez and the other officials was filed by a certain Tirso Seares who owns a house allegedly erected in a public road in Kawit.

Albeos mentioned in his decision that no documentary evidence was offered to prove that the house was built illegally.

"Can you not conclude therefore that in the absence of a building permit that should have been submitted by the owner of the house it therefore is an illegally built structure?" Ramirez added.

Since the area was cleared, Ramirez said it is open as access to the old Kawit for fisherfolk going to the sea, for residents of Gibitngil Island, and tourists going to and from Funtastic Island, which he developed during his time as mayor.

"Mao kanay atong tuyo sukad pa sa una nga maablihan na siya’g balik. Sa ato pa nagamit na siya karon para sa atong tuyo nga naay free access ang tanan," Ramirez said.

A certain Adamas Rosales posted on Facebook that many residents were reportedly happy when the old wharf was opened.

He recounted how difficult before for the residents of Gibitngil Island to bury their dead in the mainland when boats have no place to dock.

The Office of the Ombudsman ordered the suspension of Ramirez, former vice mayor Juan Alfonso Lim, Councilors Joevenus Inot and Leonardo Montilla, former councilors Lee RJ Villapez, Raymond Olivar, Horacio Franco, Artemio Noynay, Conrado Mangubat, Kendrick Allen Lim, and Capitol lawyer Ritche Capahi.

Villapez is now the vice mayor, Ramirez and Alfonso are councilors, while Franco is a Provincial Board member.

Ramirez earlier described the decision as "one sided and at the very least stupid."

Prior to the clearing on April 22, 2014, Ramirez said that typhoon Yolanda on November 8, 2013 practically destroyed all structures in the municipality and Seares was among the recipients of the Emergency Shelter Assistance (ESA) after his house was destroyed.

Ramirez added that Seares managed to build a house on the lot and was not disturbed for 15 years because his father-in-law was a municipal councilor and the complainant was a barangay councilor, too. (FREEMAN)