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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider Tarriela hits 'harassment' complaint, 'defensive' complainant in Ombudsman case

Tarriela hits 'harassment' complaint, 'defensive' complainant in Ombudsman case

Published Mar 11, 2026 11:52 am

At A Glance

  • A "harassment" complaint from a "defensive" complainant. That's how Occidental Mindoro lone district Rep. Leody "Odie" Tarriela described the graft case filed against him Tuesday, March 10 by a certain Radamalyn Fernando Cardoza before the Office of the Ombudsman.
Occidental Mindoro lone district Rep. Leody “Odie” Tarriela (Facebook)
Occidental Mindoro lone district Rep. Leody “Odie” Tarriela (Facebook)


A "harassment" complaint from a "defensive" complainant.
That's how Occidental Mindoro lone district Rep. Leody “Odie” Tarriela described the graft case filed against him Tuesday, March 10 by a certain Radamalyn Fernando Cardoza before the Office of the Ombudsman.
“Ayon sa lumabas na press release, nagsampa sa akin ng kaso si Mr. Cardoza matapos na siya ay gumawa ng 'formal requests [for] copies of public documents from the DPWH (Department of Public Works and Highways)-Mindoro District Office', kaya lang ang kanyang request ay hindi naaksyunan," Tarriela said in a statement.
(According to the press release, Mr. Cardoza filed a case against me after he made 'formal requests for copies of public documents from the DPWH–Mindoro District Office,' but his request was not acted upon.)
"Paano naman na naging kasalanan ko na hindi siya nabigyan ng kung ano mang hinihingi nya sa DPWH? At kung wala nga siyang nakuhang kung anuman, ano ngayon ang basehan ng kanyang kaso?" asked the perplexed solon.
(How is it then my fault that he was not given whatever he was asking for from the DPWH? And if he truly did not obtain anything at all, what then is the basis of his case?)
Tarriela claimed that Cardoza, reportedly a broadcaster in the province of Occidental Mindoro, was known as "politically opposed" to him.
He previously filed a disqualification case against the congressman in the May 2025 elections. Incidentally, Tarriela was overwhelmingly re-elected for his second term in the House that year.
Tarriela stressed that he wasn't a contractor, just a congressman who crafted laws like the rest in the House of Representatives.
“Gaya ng aking inilahad sa ICI (Independent Commission for Infrstructure) noong ako ay boluntaryong humarap noong Nov. 26, 2025, ang aking pangunahing obligasyon bilang isang mababatas ay ang tumulong sa pagpasa ng batas," he said.
(As I stated before the ICI when I voluntarily appeared on Nov. 26, 2025, my primary obligation as a legislator is to help in the passage of laws.)
"Hindi ako member ng Committee on Appropriations, ng Bicameral Conference Committee o ng Small Committee. Hindi ako nakikialam sa pag-implement ng mga projects na nakaatangan sa DPWH. Hindi ako nakikisali sa procurement at mga biddings. Wala din akong inuutusan na makialam sa mga bagay na to, at mas lalong hindi ako isang kontratista,” continued Tarriela.
(I am not a member of the Committee on Appropriations, the Bicameral Conference Committee, or the Small Committee. I do not interfere in the implementation of projects assigned to the DPWH. I do not take part in procurement or bidding processes. I also do not instruct anyone to meddle in these matters, and most certainly, I am not a contractor.)
Cardoza was quoted as saying that his complaint was submitted in good faith, and was not intended to harass, malign or prejudice any party. He says it only seeks a lawful determination whether a probable cause exists.
Tarriella called Cardoza "defensive" for making such remarks about the case he filed.
“Ngayon lang ako nakakita ng nagsampa ng kaso na defensive agad na hindi harassment complaint ang kanyang kaso. Kasi malinaw naman na ang kanyang complaint ay harassment lamang at politically-motivated," he noted.
(This is the first time I’ve seen someone file a case and immediately become defensive that it is not a harassment complaint. Because it is clear that his complaint is nothing more than harassment and politically-motivated.)
"Sa ngayon ay pinaaaral ko na sa aking mga abogado ang kaso na maaring isampa sa taong ito (At present, I have already instructed my lawyers to study the case that may be filed against this person)," concluded Tarriela.
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