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Wednesday, August 06, 2003
Ombud clears CHO head, 3 others of graft raps
By Raquel C. Bagnol
THE office of the Ombudsman for Mindanao dismissed charges of graft and corruption against the City Health Office chief and three of his employees who were accused of allegedly allowing former health employees to receive honoraria even after their termination.
In a six-page resolution, graft investigation officer Thaddeus J. Boiser cleared Dr. Roberto Alcantara, city health officer; Jordan Remetere, district health officer; Elsa Pasia and Nenita Monsanto, all of the CHO.
The charges were lodged before the Ombudsman by Jesus E. Sabio, barangay captain of Catalunan Grande, Davao City, who claimed one of his executive powers is to appoint barangay health workers (BHW) and barangay health nutrition scholars (BNSs) to render services for his barangay.
Sabio claimed he earlier appointed 20 BHWs and two BNSs whose appointments expired on July 15, 2002. He said he did not renew their appointments and informed the CHO through Dr. Carlos P. Acosta and the district health doctor Jordana Remetere of their termination.
Despite their termination, Sabio claimed the BHWs and BNSs continued to receive their monthly honorarium counterpart from the city government in the amount of P350 each.
The four respondents submitted a jointly-filed counter affidavit last March 14 admitting the City Government continued to pay their monthly honoraria. But, they said the BHW and BNS are volunteer workers who receive no salaries and need no appointment, contrary to Sabio's claims.
They are merely accredited by the CHO and can be tapped for health service programs.
They also said that Sabio's motive in terminating the services of the BHWs and BNSs was plain political persecution because the group allegedly refused to campaign and vote for him during the last barangay elections.
After a careful evaluation of the evidences obtained, the Ombudsman ruled that the respondents proved negative to the allegations.
The Ombudsman found that the source of funds from the P350 monthly honoraria does not come from the funds of the barangay but from the city government and is therefore not under the disposal of the barangay chair.
The respondents also presented proof that the BHWs and the BNS are still active in rendering their voluntary services to the barangay as shown by their accomplishment reports and certifications.
The Ombudsman also found that the respondents did not profit from the said transaction. RCB
(August 6, 2003 issue)
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