Gov't officers found guilty over Ozone tragedy

MANILA, Philippines — After 18 years since the tragedy, the Sandiganbayan on Thursday ruled against Quezon City officers over the 1996 Ozone Disco fire that killed 162 people.

The anti-graft court's Fifth Division found Alfredo Macapugay, Donato Rivera Jr., Edgardo Reyes, Francisco Itliong, Feliciano Saganda, Petronillo de Llamas and Rolando Mamaid "guilty beyond reasonable doubt" for violating Section 3 (e) of Republic Act 3019.

The provision penalizes government employees for giving private parties unwarranted benefits through "manifest partiality, evident bad faith or gross inexcusable negligence."

The seven accused are sentenced to six to 10 years of imprisonment and perpetually banned from holding public office.

The former city officers were found liable for the granting of safety clearances and permits to operate to the establishment without conducting actual inspection.

The building was also found to have several structural defects that rendered it largely at risk to fire.

"There can never be a slapdash approval of a building permit and certificate of occupancy. To shrink from this duty will certainly run at risk all safety standards contemplated by the National Building Code," Associate Justice  Maria Theresa Dolores Estoesta said in the decision.

Hermilo Ocampo and Ramon Ng, president and treasurer of club operator Westwood Entertainment, respectively, were also charged guilty of graft.

The court meted out a sentence of six to 10 years for Ocampo and Ng.

Westwood stockholders Racquel Ocampo, Rosita Ku, Sunny Ku and Alfredo Chua, meanwhile, are acquitted from graft.