By Benjamin Cuaresma
MANILA, Philippines — The Supreme Court (SC) has ruled that the Office of the Ombudsman can investigate suspected government wrongdoing without waiting for the Commission on Audit (COA) to finalize its findings, upholding the dismissal of former Palawan provincial officials over irregularities involving Malampaya Fund projects.
In a decision penned by Associate Justice Maria Filomena D. Singh, the SC En Banc affirmed the administrative liability of Ronelo O. Del Socorro and other former provincial officials over alleged irregularities in projects funded by Palawan’s ₱966-million share of the Malampaya Fund.
The complaints cited questionable bidding procedures, incomplete contract requirements, overlapping personnel assignments, deficient disbursement documents and accomplishment reports that allegedly overstated project progress, resulting in payments to contractors.
The Ombudsman found the officials liable for grave misconduct, serious dishonesty and gross neglect of duty. The Court of Appeals sustained the ruling.
Rejecting the officials’ argument that the investigation was premature, the SC stressed that the Ombudsman and COA exercise separate, independent powers.
“The Office of the Ombudsman is not required to wait for the finality of any audit or investigation by the COA before it can investigate unlawful and improper acts of public officials on its own,” the Court declared.
The officials were dismissed from service, perpetually disqualified from public office, and stripped of their retirement benefits.
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