MikeLigalig.com

By Kit Bagaipo
Bohol Chronicle

After dragging on for four years, the complaint for violation of the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act against five National Irrigation Administration (NIA) officials in relation to their involvement in the questioned Talibon Small Reservoir Impounding Project (TSRIP) has been dismissed by the Ombudsman.

While awaiting for graft charges to be filed in the courts, the Ombudsman ruling struck the complainants by surprise.

According to the 24-page decision signed by Acting Ombudsman Orlando Casimiro, the complaint lacked substantial legal basis to be given due course.

Respondents of the case were Regional Irrigation Manager Alexander Reuyan, Bohol Provincial Irrigation Officer Calixto Seroje, NIA regional finance manager Jesusa Sibonga, Small Reservoir Irrigation project officer Eduardo Daniel and senior accountant Victor Echavez.

The Boholanos Against Corruption, Oppression and Social Harassment (Bacosh) however filed a motion for reconsideration on Friday assailing the ruling of the anti-graft body.         

In its pleading, the group said that the decision "has effectively doused cold water on the people's faith in the capacity of government to rule under the pale of law with justice and respect for the sovereign people."

Bacosh accused the Ombudsman of bowing down to pressure from "powerful officials" who are involved in the case.

Two years ago, a NIA Fact Finding Team who investigated the issues raised by Bacosh regarding alleged irregularities in the release of some P165 million for the Talibon SRIP.

The project, which had an approved budget for contract of P243 million was reported half-completed even with only 4 visible structures and civil works that were not covered by duly-approved programs of work, as alleged by Bacosh.

Calling the decision "a strange verdict", Bacosh stated in its motion that an audit formally done in December 1998 by NIA and COA showed that the project was about 50% accomplished and yet P165 million was already exhausted.

The anti-graft watch group also questioned why Graft Investigation Officer Sarah Jo Vergara penned a resolution on June 22, 2006, two years from the filing of the complaint against the NIA officials, recommending the dismissal of the case "for lack of substantial legal basis".

Bacosh likewise noted the resumption of civil works on the questioned project through fresh funding even with a pending complaint in the Ombudsman.

"The questioned project, mysterious in itself, was shrouded with mysteries from the finding of prima facie evidence until the resolution of dismissal…"

According to the complainants, from the finding of a prima facie case, proper charges should have been filed in court to allow the respondents clear their names after they have been indicted in the Fact Finding Team report.

The respondents likewise succeeded in causing the release of fresh funds for the project's resumption.

"Now that the project is on-going, albeit a new funding, there is already an excuse for saying that the complaint on this project 'looks substantial legal basis', suppressing the fact that this case centers on the P165 million outlay which was exhausted without the project being completed," the motion stated.

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Sa una ra ning panahona sa NIA. Kadto Sila Engr. Bersabal mao man to nag shift ug Law. Napapha man to sa NIA guimikan sad sa payroll padding. Sila COA Auditor Joseph Parado. Uban pa. Maynalang kay maayong laki Atty. Granada, nga mao ilang lawyer morag na abswelto ang kaso pero tangtang sa trabaho.

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MIke, I know what I am talking about.

There's nothing wrong when I said it's weather, weather.. life in "politics" and "government" is like that, a fact and you know that.   If you don't know how to swim, malunod ka.

I;d monitored the Talibon scam... and before it was reported by Imbestigador I pitched my clippings and files to my friend-researcher..and 3 months after, the program did a report.

The scam is of public interest... but Engr. Petronilo Sarigumba, the "whistle blower" is the "hero" for exposing the dam scandal.

I saw the Talibon's dam and I know it's a living witness of how those people "wasted" the people's money.

I was also among the "first" to know the 24 page decision when Atty. Salva Diputado informed me about the case.

So, what else? What I am going to say? I know that Bacosh and Sarigumba would file a motion for reconsideration.

Gikapoy nako ana nga issue Mike. Sorry for saying this, but these people aren't to be trusted... ang uban wala nay credibility.

What I don't like was that Sarigumba "came out" and "exposed" it just for his personal interest. Why I say so? Kay wala man niya nakuha ang maong project, a sort of "sour graping.."mao sige siya pagarpar sa issue...and months after natagaan siya og project nahilum siya. See? Thailand naka adtong nahilum siya kadiyot kay natagaan og project. Public records and news reports sa BOhol can attest how he "changed."

He's a "hero.." and in fact though our publisher doesn;t like him, we still featured him in our lifestyle as a person who plays a trumpet. Then, he assured us for a one page advertisement greetings the contractors and builders of Bohol for a gathering in which he would be the one to ask for the payment, thank goodness, until now, there's no payment made!

Then, when his radio program turned a year, he had even a congratulatory page..then the greetings came from IMbestigador, MIke, GMA 7, when you read it it appeared that they're congratulating him. IN fact, the network could not send greetings unless approved by the big boss.  Unsa man gusto niya ipaappear?

Then, last year, he complained for a massive cheating after failing to win an election. He run as board member in the 2nd district...  He called GMA 7 to make news about it and I was asked by the big boss to check it. When I verified, I'd learned that his accusation was baseless.

However, for my personal view (and the others) I should refrain from saying things which will adversely affect a private reputation unless the public interest justifies it.

Sorry to tell you that I am not deeply affected by the report... to the point of losing my objectivity and let my emotions reign. I know, you're  a respected media practioner way back in Bohol, but I should still maintain distance from the subjects, I respect all whether Seroje, Sarigumba, etc...

Nice gud nga ipadayon ang case... nga naay anomalya sa talibon scam... I  know there's an anomaly...the dam is a living witness of the corruption.... like you I'm in quandary why it was "junked" maybe affected by some "unseen hands?"

For me, let Bacosh and Sarigumba fight for it against Seroje, et al... sila ra man ana magfight. Naa na nila ang cards... let them play it wisely.. ang mahimo nato ana is "support" a

we have a law. Let both sides show their evidences, etc....  and we will wait for the result (after they will file for a motion for reconsideration or appeal.."

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yes, it's true.

we have to "scrupulously report and interpret the news, taking care not to suppress essential facts or to distort the truth by mission or improper emphasis."

aside from the talibon scam, there're other scams in bohol. lately, is about comm. benjie oliva.

my slogan now is : be the hope i can!!!!!

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