Ombudsman claims credit for money from sale of Ligots’ US house

MANILA, Philippines—Ombudsman Merceditas Guierrez is to be thanked for the Philippine government’s receipt of $132,000 representing the proceeds of the forfeiture sale of a California property under the name of former military comptroller Jacinto Ligot’s wife.

So says Assistant Ombudsman Jose de Jesus, who issued a statement on Saturday claiming it was Gutierrez who initiated the request for the money in 2009.

“We are happy that the efforts of the Ombudsman, under the watch of Ombudsman Gutierrez, in having this check delivered to the Philippine government have paid off,” said De Jesus, spokesman of the Office of the Ombudsman.

De Jesus said that when the Office of the Ombudsman was informed that the Buena Park property purchased by Erlinda Ligot had been put up for sale, Gutierrez immediately wrote then Justice Secretary Agnes Devanadera to get the government to ask for the proceeds.

Gutierrez sought the proceeds under the Mutual Legal Assistance Treaty between the Philippines and the United States.

The Office of the Ombudsman had earlier filed a forfeiture case against Jacinto Ligot and his wife, children, sister and brother-in-law in connection with the accumulation of assets whose value far exceeded his declared income. The case is pending before the Sandiganbayan anti-graft court.

De Jesus said that based on Gutierrez’ request, Devanadera got in touch with the US government to ask for the amount from the sale of the property.

The property went through administrative proceedings in the United States and was later ordered forfeited. It was sold in December 2005 for $132,000.

On Thursday, US Ambassador Harry Thomas turned over the $132,000 to Justice Secretary Leila de Lima, who then informed the Office of the Ombudsman about the receipt of the proceeds through a letter.