Ombudsman: MWSS exec’s suspension order a fake

MANILA, Philippines - The Office of the Ombudsman has disowned as fake a preventive suspension order against a high-ranking official of the Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage Systems (MWSS).

The anti-graft agency said no directive has been issued placing MWSS administrator Gerardo Esquivel under a six-month preventive suspension.

Overall Deputy Ombudsman Melchor Arthur Carandang purportedly signed the supposed order dated Nov. 25, 2013. 

“The order is clearly spurious. I did not sign such order, and records revealed that no such document has been issued by any Ombudsman office,” Carandang said. 

He added that no case against Esquivel exists, referring to the docket number OMB-CRD-C-12-1079. 

The Office of the Ombudsman confirmed reports of a “fake” order to file a counter-affidavit that was sent to Esquivel.

“These media tactics are not doing the case any good. It undermines and preempts the resolution of the case, by conditioning the mind of the public of a favored outcome of the case,” Ombudsman Conchita Carpio-Morales said.

The Office of the Ombudsman issued a public advisory as early as April 25 on spurious documents.