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Ombudsman clears former Iloilo City civil registrar of graft raps

Philippines | Luzon

Ombudsman clears former Iloilo City civil registrar of graft raps

By Tara Yap

ILOILO CITY – The Office of the Ombudsman has dismissed three graft charges against Romeo Caesar “Juncae” L. Manikan Jr., former chief of the Iloilo City Civil Registry Office.

In three separate Ombudsman decisions, Manikan was cleared of alleged violation of Section 3(e) of Republic Act No. 3019 or the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act.

THE Iloilo City Hall at night. (Tara Yap)

"I have stood by what is right and the dismissals of their complaint against me is beyond proof that I am the one on the right path,” said Manikan in a statement.

Manikan faced graft charges from complaints filed by now City Registrar Cherie Jover Ampig as well as employees Jose E. Pisueña Jr. and Araceli N. Villavincencio.

The graft charges against Manikan stemmed from the complainants claiming that he, as chief registrar, would not sign their daily time records (DTRs) which they claimed resulted in the delay of their salaries and benefits.

Of the three complaints, it was Ampig’s complaint that had finality. Ombudsman Samuel Martires signed the order that dismissed her motion for reconsideration when the Ombudsman-Visayas junked her complaint against Manikan on March 28, 2022.

On the other hand, the Ombudsman found probable cause against Ampig for allegedly falsifying her DTRs in a complaint separately filed by Manikan.

The string of administrative and criminal charges faced by Manikan were linked to politics.

The camp of incumbent Mayor Jerry Treñas has accused Manikan of supporting the candidacy of Treñas’ brother-in-law, former Mayor Jose Espinosa III, in the May 2019 elections.

Separate grave misconduct complaints were also dismissed against Manikan, who was previously accused of allegedly charging clients higher fees for processing of birth and marriage certificates.

Related Tags

GRAFT CASE Ombudsman Iloilo City Civil registrar

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