Dismissed CHR chief to appeal Ombudsman decision

MANILA, Philippines - Dismissed Commission on Human Rights (CHR) Commissioner Ma. Cecilia Quisumbing vowed yesterday to appeal the decision of the Office of the Ombudsman to remove her from her post over a graft case filed by her former subordinates.

Ombudsman Conchita Carpio-Morales ordered Quisumbing charged before the Sandiganbayan with graft, direct bribery and violation of Republic Act 6713, and the Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees for allegedly soliciting and deducting money from salaries of some of her staff.

The ombudsman said Quisumbing’s dismissal is a penalty for the administrative offense of grave misconduct, which carries the accessory punishments of cancellation of eligibility, forfeiture of retirement benefits and perpetual disqualification from holding public office.

“We are taking the appropriate legal action in accordance with procedure, as a long-time advocate of the rule of law,” Quisumbing said in a statement to The STAR.

“It’s a shame the false complaint by disgruntled terminated staff has been given any credence. Still, this is why precisely why our legal process allows for appeals and reconsiderations – to allow for further consideration of facts and law in a case,” she said.

Quisumbing was found to have committed criminal and administrative offenses after former staff members led by resigned administrative assistant Ma. Regina Eugenio filed complaints against her in September 2013.

Eugenio said she was promoted in 2013 to senior administrative assistant but was asked to place her salary differential in the CRVQ office fund. CRVQ is Quisumbing’s initials. Eugenio said she turned over P41,292.85 from January to July last year before she decided to resign.

In her counter-affidavit, Quisumbing denied all allegations and called the complainants “disgruntled dismissed staff members.” She also denied having ghost employees.

She said the salary cuts were voluntary on the part of Eugenio and other employees, and that Eugenio had signed an agreement.

Quisumbing, a former broadcast journalist and Fulbright scholar, is the daughter of former Supreme Court Associate Justice Leonardo Quisumbing and former CHR chairperson Purificacion Quisumbing.