By Kit Bagaipo
The Bohol Chronicle
A multi-sectoral group again questioned the Office of the Ombudsman why after two years no charges have been filed against government officials implicated in the anomalous P165-million Talibon irrigation project. (note: it's actually more than P200 million based on my records - mike)
The Boholanos for Truth, Accountability and Reform Movement adopted a resolution urging Ombudsman Merceditas Gutierrez "to act with dispatch, give due course and render speedy justice to the cases involving the scandalous Talibon dam" of the National Irrigation Administration (NIA).
Among the signatories of the resolution addressed to the Ombudsman are former governor Rene Relampagos, Integrated Bar of the Philippines (IBP) Bohol president Atty. Isabelo Sales Jr., Boholanos Against Corruption, Oppression and Social Harassment (BACOSH) president Engr. Nilo Sarigumba, Bohol Alliance of NGOs president Atty. Raul Barbarona, Msgr. Feliciano Nalzaro, Msgr. Robespierre Moreno and Rev. Fely Tenchaves representing the religious sector.
The group fears of a whitewash in the graft investigation involving five NIA officials.
As early as July 2004, investigations were initiated against provincial irrigation officer Engr. Calixto Seroje and four other NIA officials who were accused of misappropriating funds for the Talibon Small Reservoir Impounding Project (TSRIP).
On March 2005, the Ombudsman Visayas found prima facie evidence against the NIA officials as contained in a Joint Final Evaluation Report of graft investigation officer Leny Lim.
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