Ombudsman wants Negros gov suspended

The Office of the Ombudsman has urged the Sandiganbayan to suspend Negros Oriental Gov. Roel Degamo in connection with the graft and malversation cases he is facing over the alleged misuse of calamity funds in 2012.

In a motion filed before the Sandiganbayan’s third division on Sept. 14, the prosecution said Degamo’s suspension is necessary to prevent the governor from using his office “to intimidate witnesses, frustrate his prosecution or continue committing malfeasance.”

The ombudsman noted that under Section 13 of Republic Act 3019 or the AntiGraft and Corrupt Practices Act, the suspension of an official is mandatory when he is charged with a valid complaint.

The prosecution said the validity of the charges against Degamo and his co-accused was affirmed by the Sandiganbayan in a resolution issued on Jan. 24.

Degamo, former provincial treasurer Danilo Mendez and former provincial accountant Teodorico Reyes are each facing 11 counts of malversation of public funds through falsification of public documents. They had earlier posted bail of P1.115 million each.

The cases stemmed from the defendants’ award of 11 infrastructure contracts amounting to P143.2 million despite a notice from the Department of Budget and Management that it had recalled the special allotment release order due to the provincial government’s failure to comply with the requirements and guidelines.

The infrastructure projects were intended in areas hit by Typhoon Sendong in December 2011 and a magnitude 6.9 earthquake in February 2012.

Degamo was given 15 days to comment on the motion while the prosecution has 10 days to reply.