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VISAYAS Deputy Ombudsman Pelagio Apostol yesterday said he would release the fact-finding report on the construction of the P800 million Cebu International Convention Center after securing clearance from the Ombudsman in Manila.
?In due time, I will release it. I still have to ask clearance from Manila,? Apostol told CEBU DAILY NEWS.
He spoke as calls mounted for transparency in the progress of the investigation which has taken two years.
Cebu Archbishop Ricardo Cardinal Vidal said officials involved in the CICC investigation should do everything in their power to resolve the case ?for the sake of peace and well being of the people.?
Vidal said the Ombudsman should do more than assure the people that the government is working hard on monitoring expenses using public funds.
?If there is no such thing, the matter will go on and on. They will just talk and talk, walang katapusan (there will be no end to this),? said Vidal.
Apostol last week said he was referring the case to Manila for review, following reports of an internal disagreement in the anti-graft office over how the case should be decided.
The next step after fact-finding is a resolution whether to proceed with a formal investigation.
Apostol said the the CICC case was ?unique? because of a 2008 office policy of Tanodbayan Merciditas Gutierrez which mandates local offices of the Ombudsman to transfer cases involving governors and vice governors to the Ombudsman Manila.
?In order to further expedite and accelerate the conduct of preliminary investigation and/or administrative adjudication of cases involving high ranking public officials cases involving respondents occupying the position of Governor and/or Vice Governor are hereby transferred and delegated to the Preliminary Investigation and Administrative Adjudication Bureau (PARB) of the Office of the Overall Deputy Ombudsman,? the resolution stated.
The fact-finding report on the CICC finding report was sent to the Public Assistance and Corruption Prevention Office (PACPO) of the Ombudsman-Visayas and Assistant Ombudsman Virginia Palanca-Santiago.
?I'm still the one who will decide on all cases filed in the Ombudsman Visyas. Santiago is only my assistant. If there will be mistakes in the investigations, I will be blamed,? Apostol said.
In 2007, businessman Crisologo Saavedra filed plunder charges against Capitol officials led by Cebu Gov. Gwendolyn Garcia, alleging the CICC project was overpriced by more than P50 million.
Republic Act 7080 or the Anti-Plunder Law penalizes public officials who acquire wealth of at least P50 million through corruption.
Militant groups were discouraged by the transfer of the CICC case to the Ombudsman.
Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (Bayan) Secretary General Armand Perez said the Ombudsman-Visayas's move to refer the case to Manila was tantamount to dismissing the case.
They said they are fearful that Ombudsman Merceditas Guiterrez would sit on the case, delaying its resolution well after the elections.Editorial Assistant Ma. Bernadette A. Parco Reporter Ador Vincent Mayol and Correspondent Ardie B. Ermac
