Ombuds to probe loss of Capitol rice sacks
AN investigation will be done by the Office of the Ombudsman in the Visayas on the recent alleged unauthorized release of 35 sacks of rice stored in the Cebu Provincial Detention and Rehabilitation Center (CPDRC) in barangay Kalunasan, Cebu City.
Asst. Ombudsman Virginia Palanca-Santiago told Cebu media yesterday their office will coordinate with the Cebu provincial government in their inquiry.
“We will be gathering documents (about the issue). But we will conduct our own investigation,” she said.
Santiago said their inquiry will determine whether there is any negligence involved.
The Cebu Provincial Social Welfare and Development (PSWD), which has custody of the rice supply, has kept its hands off the controversy.
PSWD chief Marivic Garces earlier blamed provincial guard Antonieto Babor for the loss of several sacks of rice supposedly intended for disaster and emergency purposes.
Theft charges will be filed against Babor who was found liable in an investigation headed by Police Chief Supt. Cesar Veloso, provincial consultant on peace and order. Babor, who served as acting assistant supply officer, was sacked from his post as rice custodian.
Veloso’s investigation showed that Babor committed the blunder with some persons.
Garces said the withdrawal of rice stocks was “irregular” because it didn’t comply with regular procedure prior to their release to Babor.
In a report, Veloso said 35 sacks of rice deposited by PSWD at the CPDRC house van were withdrawn by Babor at 3:40 p.m. last Monday.
Babor allegedly instructed 17 inmates to load the sacks of rice on a CPDRC canter van bearing plate number SGH-111.
He specifically requested the inmates to place 20 sacks of rice in front of the van with the rest placed on the vehicle’s rear portion.
At 3:54 p.m., Babor allegedly drove the van out of the CPDRC gate, telling guards he would deliver the rice to the Capitol.
One of the jail officers contacted and informed Veloso about what transpired.
Since the van didn’t arrived at the Capitol, Veloso requested the Capitol’s security personnel to proceed to Veterans Village in barangay Kalunasan where Babor’s home is located.
Upon their arrival, the security personnel saw three sacks of rice that were unloaded from the CPDRC van.
Babor explained that the three sacks of rice were given by Cebu Gov. Gwendolyn Garcia for “consumption.”
He was advised to report to Veloso to explain the withdrawal of the 35 sacks.
Babor explained that a certain Wilson Ramos called him through the cell phone and requested him to deliver 35 sacks of rice to a military officer at Ecotech in barangay Lahug, Cebu City.
The sacks of rice were purportedly intended for indigent children.
Ramos, an administrative officer of PSWD, denied having ordered the release of 35 sacks of rice.
