BY: Joel P. Mapiles
CITY OF SAN FERNANDO --- The team tasked to probe the demolition anomaly at the Clark International Airport Corporation (CIAC) will impose a “no contact policy” with CIAC president and CEO Victor Luciano during the evidence gathering to avoid any doubt on their investigation.
This was bared by director Wilbert Candelaria, head of the Office of the Deputy for Omubudsman for Luzon’s Public Assistance and Corruption Prevention Office (PACPO), as they started their probe last Tuesday.
Candelaria, who is in-charge on the investigation of informal and formal complaints and conduct corruption prevention initiatives and rendering public assistance, said they were instructed by the Deputy Ombudsman for Luzon Mark Jalandoni to conduct an in depth-investigation on the alleged demolition anomaly at the CIAC aviation complex.
He approximated that within two weeks, his team of three can be able make a fact-finding report.
He explained that if they find an irregularity committed in the demolition and donation of 17 old warehouses and it is material and substantive, they would recommend to Ombudsman Merceditas Gutierrez the conduct of a preliminary investigation.
Candelaria said this would be the time that charges would be docketed at the Ombudsman and it would have two aspects – criminal for the preliminary investigation and administrative for adjudication.
During the preliminary investigation, he furthered, the Ombudsman will determine whether they would dismiss or proceed with the filing of charges against Luciano before the Sandiganbayan.
In the preliminary investigation, Candelaria said their office will summon and ask Luciano to air and defend his side, which would be contained in his counter affidavit.
Asked if the case or the investigation is moot and academic considering the fact that Luciano has already filed his courtesy resignation with President Noynoy Aquino, he said that it will not affect anything.
He told this reporter that the point of the investigation will be based on his action at the time when he was still acting as president of CIAC.
Candelaria explained that if Luciano is still working as president of CIAC, he may be suspended administratively from office to avoid any suspicion that he may use his office for undue influence or may tamper with any related pertinent documents.
He said that if Luciano is not anymore connected with CIAC during the preliminary investigation, the suspension or reprimand order is moot and academic but his benefits as former government official maybe put on hold.
If the Ombudsman finds there is probable cause on the case, the Special Prosecutor’s Office will file charges before the Sandiganbayan.
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