Belmonte, 11 others cleared of raps in 2009 demolition

MANILA, Philippines - The Office of the Ombudsman has junked a graft complaint filed against Speaker Feliciano Belmonte Jr. and 11 other people that stemmed from a demolition of houses in 2009.

In a Nov. 21 resolution, she gave weight to the argument made by Belmonte and the other respondents that “the lot where the complainants’ houses stood had already been turned over to the registered owner of the land” and that the demolition was carried out after a writ of execution was issued by the Quezon City regional trial court.

They explained that the University of Manila, as the owner of the land, also owns the improvements and has the right to construct and demolish any structure on the property.

Ombudsman Conchita Carpio-Morales also ordered the dismissal of grave misconduct charges against Belmonte, then mayor of Quezon City; Tadeo Palma, secretary to the mayor; Marlowe Jacutin, head of Task Force COPRISS (Control and Prevention of Illegal Structures and Squatting); Inspector Roberto dela Cruz; and police officers Rolando Nabor, Elmer Nepomuceno, and Christopher Gatan.

She also cleared University of Manila president Emily de Leon; Barangay Culiat chairman Jaime Garcia; and private security guards Elmer Miken, Francisco Cuevas, and Nacer Mama Karim of criminal and administrative charges.