Ombudsman files graft charges against Bedol 21 July 2011, source: Ombudsman Website
THE Office of the Ombudsman ordered the filing of graft charges against COMELEC Provincial Election Supervisor LINTANG HASIM BEDOL for irregularities committed during the May 2007 elections.
Deputy Ombudsman for Mindanao Humphrey Monteroso ordered the filing of charges against Bedol for violating Section 3(e) of RA 3019 (Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act).
The case stemmed from a complaint filed by Atty. Ferdinand T. Rafanan, Chief of the COMELEC Law Department.
Bedol was accused of unlawfully and illegally directing the submission to him of all copies of the Municipal Certificate of Canvass (MCOC), Election Returns (ER), Statement of Votes (SOV) and Summary Statement of Votes (SSOV) generated by all precincts in the municipality of Maguindanao. The election documents contained the results for the local and national positions during the 14 May 2007 elections.
Thereafter however, the said documents they could no longer be located by COMELEC officials despite stringent measures adopted for its safekeeping. As a result, the votes for the province of Maguindanao were not transmitted to the COMELEC, thereby causing undue injury to the government as the canvassing of votes for Senatorial and party-list were unnecessarily delayed and the loss of these documents tainted the image and credibility of the COMELEC as a constitutional and independent body.
The charges is set to be filed before the Regional Trial Court of Cotobato City. Bail recommended is P30,000.
Bedol is presently detained at the PNP Custodial Center, Camp Crame, Quezon City following the issuance of an alias warrant of arrest by the COMELEC which found him guilty of contempt.
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