Ombudsman junks graft, plunder case vs Muntinlupa executives

MANILA, Philippines - Citing lack of evidence, the office of the Ombudsman dismissed the graft and plunder charges against Muntinlupa City Mayor Aldrin San Pedro and 27 other officials, including his allied councilors.

In a 61-page decision, the Ombudsman exonerated San Pedro from a case filed against him by Ariel Dolleton, the former head of a city government department under former Muntinlupa mayor Jaime Fresnedi.

In his complaint, Dolleton said there was an alleged irregularity in the approval of P238.07 million in infrastructure projects by the city council and San Pedro in 2007 because the city coffers did not have sufficient funds and there was no proper bidding.

The projects included sidewalk improvement, streetlights, road repairs, bus landing terminal, water tank and asphalt overlay and concrete blocking implemented all over Muntinlupa.

The Ombudsman, however, said Dolleton “failed to substantiate” his accusations. The decision – with Ombudsman Ma. Merceditas Gutierrez, Graft Investigation and Prosecution Officer II Lourdes Padre Juan, and acting Assistant Ombudsman Mary Susan Guillermo as signatories – was signed on Sept. 6 but was only released 11 days later.

Others cleared of the charges include former councilors Icasiano dela Rea, Melchor Teves, Allan Rey Camilon, Marita Calalang, Ma. Luisa Babaran-Echavez, Francis Ian Bagatsing, Marissa Cole-Rongavilla, Mamerto Sevilla Jr. and Rey Bulay and incumbent councilors Amy Patdu-Labios, Luvi Constantino, Vergel Ulanday, Robert Abas, and Joselito Arevalo.

The Ombudsman also acquitted city administrator Roberto Bunyi, chairman of the Bids and Awards Committee; BAC members Vicente Navarro, Michael Racelis, Peter Salonga and Sonia Laureta; budget officer Avelino Orellana, former city treasurer Nelia Barlis, city accountant Edwin Suitado and members of the BAC Technical Working Group and BAC Secretariat.

San Pedro lauded the decision. “Our evidence proved that we followed all the laws in the implementation of the infrastructure projects,” he said in a statement.

A source close to Dolleton scored the decision and warned that “the truth will come out in the right time and the people of Muntinlupa will know the real story behind the plunder case.”