Complaints filed against Luzon Deputy OMB Mark Jalandoni

Three complaints were filed Thursday before the Office of the President against Deputy Ombudsman for Luzon Mark Jalandoni, deputy presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte said in a text message to reporters. "We haven’t seen the complaints yet. We just confirmed from Deputy Executive Secretary for Legislative Affairs Ronald Giron that the complaints have been filed," she said. According to one of complaint-affidavits given to the media, Jalandoni was being accused of usurpation of official functions and authority. "The offense committed amounts to grave misconduct and constitutes culpable violation of the Constitution, graft and corruption and betrayal of public trust," complainant Antonio Baltazar said in his affidavit. The complainant sought the dismissal of Jalandoni for allegedly abrogating and taking upon himself the function of Assistant Ombudsman Jose de Jesus. He said it was De Jesus who was supposed to review and recommend the approval of a resolution on the complaint he filed before the Office of the Ombudsman. In the said resolution, Jalandoni approved the recommendation to dismiss Baltazar's complaint against Energy Regulatory Commission chairman Rodolfo Albano Jr. and Manila Electric Co. president Jesus Francisco for graft and corruption due to a lack of probable cause. "Noticeable in the said resolution/decision is that Deputy Ombudsman for Luzon Mark Jalandoni approved the draft decision, which supposedly requires recommendation by Assistant Ombudsman Jose de Jesus," the complainant said. "Jalandoni supposedly had no role in this since this is a Central Office case. Yet contrary to the regular procedure, Jalandoni abrogated and took upon himself the function of De Jesus," he said. Last week, Malacañang announced its decision to dismiss from service Deputy Ombudsman Emilio Gonzalez for gross neglect of duty for the alleged mishandling of the case of Inspector Rolando Mendoza, who held hostage and killed on Aug. 23, 2010 tourists from Hong Kong. — PE/VS, GMA News