Padaca faces raps over SALN violations

MANILA, Philippines - The Office of the Ombudsman yesterday filed charges against former Commission on Elections commissioner Maria Gracia Cielo Padaca for failure to file on time her statement of assets, liabilities and net worth (SALN) from 2007 to 2010 when she was governor of Isabela.

Padaca was indicted for violations of Republic Act 6713 or the Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees.

In its decision on May 13, the ombudsman said it found probable cause to charge Padaca based on a commission on appointment profile and investigation report and a certification issued by the human resource department of the office of the provincial administrator of Isabela.

Graft probers said Padaca did not even try to obtain a copy of the SALNs that she supposedly accomplished and transmitted.

“It is customary…as a hallmark of sound records keeping... it is in accord with human experience, to obtain a copy bearing the date and time of receipt cum acknowledgement of the receiving office or employee, for one’s own files of all vital public documents which public officials and employees are required to submit,” the ombudsman ruling stated.

“It is difficult to fathom how respondent would be unfamiliar with such a practice or that she has not altogether adopted this procedure given her lengthy stint in government service,” it added.

Padaca said she was surprised over the swift resolution of the case.

”Is the ombudsman that swift in resolving other cases?” she said.

When asked if the case has something to do with the elections, she told The STAR, ”No comment.” – With Raymund Catindig