GRAFT RAP V. MARGOT

Barangay captains allied with Team Rama file counter-complaint against mayor’s wife who had accused them of carnapping Complaints levelled against Margot Osmeña before Ombudsman: malicious prosecution, grave abuse of authority, oppression

The Cebu City councilor is accused of malicious prosecution, oppression, grave misconduct, conduct prejudicial to the best interest of justice and of violating RA 9485 The 47 barangay captains who lodged the charges against her say the criminal and administrative charges she earlier filed against them were meant to “harass, humiliate” them The complainants say that Councilor Margarita Osmeña should be held liable for grave misconduct for deliberately filing a baseless suit over “unreturned” city vehicles

Forty-seven village chiefs of Cebu City yesterday lodged administrative charges against Councilor Margarita “Margot” Osmeña before the Office of the Ombudsman-Visayas for filing an allegedly malicious complaint against them.

They accused Osmeña of malicious prosecution, oppression, grave misconduct, conduct prejudicial to the best interest of justice, and of violating Republic Act 9485, or the Anti-Red Tape Act of 2007.

“The criminal and administrative charges filed by Osmeña against complainants were clearly designated to vex, embarrass, harass, and humiliate the complainants,” the complaint read.

When sought for comment, Osmeña said she will respond to the case once she receives a copy of it.

The councilor had filed administrative and criminal complaints before the anti-graft office over their refusal to return the vehicles issued to them during the administration of former mayor Michael Rama.

Dismissed

Osmeña accused them of carnapping, malversation of public property, and violation of the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act.

The charges Osmeña filed against the barangay captains were dismissed for want of evidence as not returning vehicles on time is not tantamount to carnapping. Joint resolution dated Aug. 9, 2017

In a the joint resolution dated Aug.9, 2017, the ombudsman dismissed for want of evidence the charges against the village chiefs. It pointed out that not returning the vehicles on time is not tantamount to carnapping.

The village chiefs, in their complaint, said that Osmeña should be held liable for grave misconduct for deliberately filing a baseless suit.

“The act of respondent (Osmeña) in wasting government funds and resources in instituting the patently groundless and malicious suit to advance her personal and political interest without taking into consideration the flight of complainants undoubtedly caused immense prejudice to the image and integrity of the City of Cebu,” the complaint read.

The village chiefs are asking the anti-graft office to place Osmeña in preventive suspension while the case is ongoing. /