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Friday, January 23, 2004
Manapat takes leave amid falsification raps
MANILA -- Beleaguered National Archives Director Ricardo Manapat filed an indefinite leave of absence effective Thursday to allow the unrestricted conduct of investigation on the alleged fabrication of public documents in connection with the disqualification case against Fernando Poe Jr.
Malacaņang, who seemed eager to get rid of Manapat, was quick to approve his leave despite the lack of an official request and immediately appointed a replacement.
Manapat, in a press conference, explained his leave is "to dispel any notion that I will in any way use this office to defend myself and otherwise undermine and compromise any investigation."
"All the opportunity was afforded to certain employees in the National Archives to cast serious and malicious charges against me...without allowing me to air my side and fully testify on the truth of the matter," Manapat said.
Manapat criticized the Senate proceedings on Wednesday, saying, "At no time did the proceedings assume a semblance of an investigation in aid of legislation."
In the same press conference, Manapat reiterated his denial to alleged falsification of public documents related to the disqualification proceedings against presidential candidate Poe.
"Certainly, it is absurd on my part if I had every intention of preparing falsified documents to enlist the aid of individuals who have already filed cases against me," he added.
Perjury
Manapat also did not lose time in filing perjury charges against three of his subordinates who accused him of ordering them to falsify documents related to Poe's citizenship.
Three employees of the National Archives earlier accused Manapat of having forged and fabricated the birth document of Poe's father, Allan Fernando Poe Sr., and the marriage certificate of the elder Poe and a certain Paulita Gomez.
Remmel Talabis, Vicelyn Tarin and Emmen Llamera made the accusation during an inquiry on Wednesday conducted by the Senate committee on Constitutional amendments, revision of laws and codes on the accusations against Manapat.
Manapat on Thursday accused "powerful forces" behind the candidacy of movie actor Poe as "those behind the demolition job" against him.
He filed perjury charges before a Pasay Regional Trial Court (RTC) against Talabis, Tarin and Llamera.
Resignation
Senate President Franklin Drilon said, "Without passing judgment on his guilt, I would strongly suggest that he should submit his resignation and that the President should accept the same immediately."
Four senators also supported Drilon's call, adding that Manapat is not an effective administrator since majority of the employees complained about the way he managed the office.
Senate Minority Leader Vicente Sotto III has urged the government to issue hold departure order against Manapat so that he could not leave the country and face the charges that may be filed against him.
Sotto added that aside from falsification of public documents and forgery, Manapat should be charged with obstruction of justice and theft.
This, after bundles of documents, mostly notarial records, were reportedly missing from the National Archives. Sotto said the documents were brought inside the office of Manapat. Manapat returned the "missing" records.
"The government must take measures to protect the historic records of the country. The Department of Justice (DOJ) should issue a hold order," Sotto said.
In separate interview, Sen. Edgardo Angara said Manapat is not an effective administrator since 80 percent of the employees have signed a petition to oust him.
Angara is chairman of the Senate committee on Constitutional amendments.
Sen. Aquilino Pimentel Jr. said the integrity of the official documents cannot be protected by an official like Manapat.
Sen. Manuel Villar, on the other hand, commended Talabis, Tarin and Llamera for their honesty and bravery in exposing the wrongdoing of Manapat.
Replacement
But before the day ends, Manapat got a replacement even before Malacaņang could officially receive his official request for an indefinite leave.
President Arroyo appointed Marietta Chou, chief of the Training and Information Division of the National Archives, as officer in charge (OIC).
Chou has served in the agency for almost 28 years and initially held the post as archivist when she was hired in 1976. She was among those who signed the petition seeking for Manapat's ouster.
Presidential spokesman Ignacio Bunye said the appointment of Chou was in reply to Manapat's announcement that he would seek an indefinite leave while investigation on the alleged tampering of documents is ongoing.
Bunye said Manapat made the pronouncement during a press conference Thursday morning, which the Palace monitored.
"It's very important that we preserve the reputation, the integrity of the office and I believe at this point, the appointment of an officer-in-charge is warranted, is justified, is called for," he said.
The appointment came at heels of Arroyo's statement that the administration would give "serious weight" to recommendations of the Senate and other investigating bodies and prosecute, if proven, any wrongdoers.
Bunye said Manapat must use the time to clear his name and answer all allegations hurled against him before returning to government.
He said the President is monitoring the developments and would look into the appeal of employees of the National Archives for Manapat's ouster.
Citizenship
Meanwhile, Drilon said FPJ is not a natural-born Filipino at the time of his birth and that the Supreme Court (SC) should look into the issue.
Drilon said documents presented by the camp of FPJ clearly showed that
Poe was born a year before the marriage of the elder Poe and Bessie Kelly.
"I cannot understand all the fuss about the alleged marriage bet FPJ's father and Paulita Gomez. Admittedly, FPJ was born on August 20, 1939, a year before the marriage between Allan Poe and Bessy Kelly was held. Therefore, at the time of his birth, he was an illegitimate child," Drilon said.
Therefore, Drilon said, that there is no need to prove that the marriage between Allan and Gomez is bigamous.
Drilon also said although the Commission on Elections (Comelec) can resolve the issue initially, it is still the SC that has the final say on the matter.
He said the High Tribunal should decide whether the legitimization of Poe's citizenship is retroactive after his parents got married. Sunnex Luzon/JPM/ST
(January 23, 2004 issue)
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