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Wednesday, February 08, 2006
Time to drop piso-piso cases
By Danilo V. Adorador III
THE complainant in the city's alleged anomalous multi-million-land deal called Tuesday on the Ombudsman to dismiss the cases he filed in 2003.
The reason for this, the complainant said, is that he is going to withdraw the cases anyway if the graft body fails to decide on the merits of the case by October.
Lawyer Eddie Tamondong said he is not doing the accused city officials a favor, as he is set to elevate the 18 counts of graft charges he filed in 2003 to the Court of Appeals (CA) "for faster action."
But the opposition smells something fishy with Tamondong's threats to withdraw the cases.
"The case is strong and if Tamondong drops this case, he can't blame people who would think he was paid by the City hall," said lawyer Manolo Tagarda, the opposition leader.
But Tamondong noted that for three years the Ombudsman has yet to issue a resolution on the merits of the case.
He added that the Ombudsman failed to act on his motion calling for the immediate suspension of Mayor Vicente Emano and several members of the 13th City Council implicated in the charges.
"It would be foolishness and sheer injustice if I continue with this case," said Tamondong, branding the graft body "inutile."
"I am disappointed and disgusted. I have come to a point of giving up," he added.
The cases stemmed from several land purchase and other alleged anomalous transactions entered into by the Emano administration between 2000 and 2001.
Tamondong based the land deal case on the Commission on Audit report, which found several transactions disadvantageous to the City Government.
Late last year, Emano and his co-accused were ordered by the Ombusdman Manila to submit documents relative to the land purchases.
Tamondong also assailed assumptions that "monetary or political considerations" might be involved if he withdraws the graft charges.
"Emano can't afford my price. I can't be bought," he said.
Meanwhile, Lawyer Rogelio Bagabuyo who acts as counsel for Tamondong said he would pursue the cases even if the complainant drops it.
(February 8, 2006 issue)
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