Ombudsman junks graft, plunder raps vs. ex-Binmaley mayor, others
DPWH, NIA, R1MC REGIONAL OFFICIALS ABSOLVED
THE Office of the Ombudsman dismissed for lack of merit two anti-graft complaints filed by a municipal employee of Binmaley against former mayor and vice mayor Simplicio Rosario and regional heads of three different agencies.
The other respondents were Region 1 Medical Center chief Dr. Joseph Roland Mejia, Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) 2nd District Engineering Office head Edita Manuel, and National Irrigation Administration–Pangasinan Division Manager Gertrudes Viado.
In a 16-page decision dated May 20, 2025 and released last week, the Ombudsman resolved there was no probable cause to indict the four officials for alleged violations of the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act (RA 3019), the Local Government Code (RA 7160), the Government Procurement Reform Act (RA 9184), the Plunder Law (RA 7080), and the Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees (RA 6713), among other statutes.
“There is no probable cause to indict respondents for violation of Section 3(h) of RA No. 3019,” the decision stated, noting that the accused did not participate or intervene in the questioned transactions in their official capacities.
It also pointed out that Rosario’s connection to Jojalie Construction — the firm that won multiple contracts — “pertains to the period 2014–2015, which is outside the timeframe of the questioned procurement that occurred between 2017 and 2024.”
The Ombudsman further ruled that Rosario’s ownership of Jojalie did not, by itself, constitute a prohibited interest under RA 7160, since the firm had no transactions with the municipality of Binmaley and the projects were implemented in other locations.
On the plunder accusation, the ruling said the complainant failed to prove that Rosario “amassed any ill-gotten wealth from the assailed contracts, as in fact, it was not even proven that said contracts were irregular or illegal.”
As for the alleged violations of RA 9184, the Ombudsman said there was no evidence showing that Mejia, Manuel, or Viado were related to Rosario within the prohibited degree of relationship under the procurement law.
With the case resolved on the merits, the prayer for the preventive suspension of the respondents was rendered moot. (Eva Visperas)
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