Ex-Puhagan officials cleared of graft raps

Four former officials of Barangay Puhagan, Valencia Negros Oriental have been cleared by the Ombudsman-Visayas of any criminal and administrative liabilities for alleged payroll padding, grave misconduct and malversation through falsification of official documents.

Exonerated were former Barangay Captain Ireneo Tuballa Jr., former Barangay Treasurer Florencio Lagrama Jr., former General Foreman Glenda M. Dagoy and former General Time Keeper Adrian Guzarem, who have long branded the charges as politically motivated and harassment since all the complainants were all opposition members of the Barangay Council allied with Valencia Mayor Rodolfo Gonzalez Jr. In clearing the respondents, Ombudsman-Visayas Pelagio S. Apostol declared the evidence to be insufficient and ruled that the four officials enjoyed the presumption of regularity in performing their official duties.

Furthermore, Apostol also found it highly suspicious and incredible that the complainants and the so-called witnesses filed the cases only after a period of three years from the time of the alleged offense.

The Ombudsman used the payrolls as the best evidence considered in resolving the cases and ruled that a perusal of the payroll “shows that the column of the amount of salary and the column where the laborers- witnesses affixed their signatures to show receipt of salary were side by side. It would be hard not to notice the amount, considering especially that it was specifically the release of the same that they were signing the payroll for. Surely the laborers would notice the amount due them, lack of education and innocence notwithstanding.” Complainants Maria Lea Salvoro, Anastacio Morte, Susana Alcancia, Nazario Tubat and Marlon Tubaing, all of whom were incumbent barangay councilors opposed to the then re-electionist Barangay Captain Tuballa, claimed that the payroll padding deprived witnesses Clauria Tinonas, Emelia Laguras, Teotimo Laguras, Serafin Paira, Elesio Bangalando, Andris Alcoriza, Fredelino Tubaing, Celso Enojo and Cicelle Morte a total of P 87, 025.00 in wages.

But the Ombudsman- Visayas did not believe that they failed to notice the discrepancy in the year of 2004 while casting suspicion why they only filed the case in the year 2007 just when the barangay elections were forthcoming.

Tuballa, who was then opposed by Salvoro, lamented that the case was then used to smear his campaign for re-election. Indeed, Tuballa was defeated by Salvoro in a narrow margin of 50 votes amid allegations of massive vote buying and active support of Mayor Gonzalez to Salvoro’s bid. The third candidate, Anastacio Morte, also a complainant against Tuballa in this case, ran but placed third in the 3-cornered 2007 Puhagan elections. (By Dems Rey Demecillo)