Symbolic protest
An activist wearing a costume of Jesus Christ carries a mock cross outside Malacañang on Tuesday as part of a symbolic protest against the numerous killings in connection with the government’s anti-drug campaign.
3 officials of East Avenue Medical Center ordered dismissed
THE Office of the Ombudsman has ordered the dismissal from service of three top officials of the East Avenue Medical Center (EAMC) after they were found guilty of grave misconduct over the alleged anomalous procurement of medical supplies and equipment in 2006. Ordered dismissed were EAMC Medical City Chief Roland L. Cortez, Finance Management Officer Marietta M. Cruz, and Chief Administrative Officer Jose C. Calixtro. The Ombudsman said it found that in 2006, EAMC procured medical supplies with a total amount of P10.35 million “without public bidding.” The said procurement was split into 47 small purchases “with an amount not exceeding P250,000 each and awarded to two suppliers. The Ombudsman also said the EAMC procured 20 air-conditioners and 13 exhaust fans totaling P450,950 in January 2006, with these procurements split into two small purchases in an amount not exceeding the threshold amount of P250,000 each and awarded to one supplier. The Ombudsman noted that in 2006, amounts beyond the threshold required public bidding.
CENTRAL VISAYAS: CEBU Five cops accused of extortion
COUNCILOR David Tumulak is calling on the Cebu City Police Office (CCPO) to investigate five policemen who allegedly extort from subjects of anti-drug operations. The five reportedly came from different police stations and now belong to the new drug enforcement unit of CCPO. Mr. Tumulak said he wants the five investigated not only to stop the acts they are being accused of but to spare the police force from the unnecessary negative publicity. —
CALABARZON: BATANGAS SC forfeits benefits of retired judge, court staff for irregularities in annulment cases
THE Supreme Court (SC) forfeited all benefits, except accrued leave credits, of a retired judge for irregularities in decisions on annulment cases they handled. The high court also permanently disqualified from public office Pablo Chavez, who retired in 2009 as judge of Rosario, former of Batangas Regional Trial Court, Branch 87, his then clerk of court Teofilo Dimaculangan, Jr., who has since resigned, and process server David Caguimbal, who retired in 2013. — interaksyon.com/News5
NORTHERN MINDANAO Graft charges vs Ozamiz mayor, vice-mayor daughter dismissed
THE Sandiganbayan has dismissed graft charges against Ozamiz City Mayor Reynaldo O. Parojinog, Sr. and his daughter, Vice-Mayor Nova Princess Engracia Parojinog-Echavez, citing the Ombudsman’s “inordinate and capricious” delay in its preliminary investigation. The graft charge stemmed from the alleged awarding of a gymnasium renovation project to the family-run Parojinog & Sons Construction Co. The Sandiganbayan noted that it took five years and 10 months for the Ombudsman to file a case against the Parojinogs. The court also said the charge sheet “does not state how the public officer intervened or participated in furtherance of the alleged financial interest.” —
SOCCSKSARGEN NPA seizes 32 guns from village chief in Cotabato province as 10th ID raises Red tag vs Karapatan
COMMUNIST rebels, disguised as government troops, disarmed a barangay captain and his men in Magpet town, Cotabato province over the weekend, seizing 32 firearms and other military hardware then spent at least two hours explaining their action to residents, a rebel spokesman said. Meanwhile, the Army’s 10th Infantry Division (ID) openly tagged the Southern Mindanao office of the human rights organization Karapatan among legal organizations supposed allied to the rebel National Democratic Front of the Philippines. —