Pichay to contest 'overacting' Ombudsman's dismissal order

Local Water Utilities Administration (LWUA) chairman Prospero Pichay Jr. plans to question before the Court of Appeals (CA) the dismissal order issued against him by Acting Ombudsman Orlando Casimiro for alleged misuse of funds in 2008. In an interview over radio dzBB on Tuesday, Pichay branded Casimiro as an "overacting Ombudsman" for his supposed zeal in going after officials allied with the Arroyo administration. "Ine-expect natin yan nagpapakitang gilas yan dahil nag-a-apply maging Ombudsman yan. For the last three weeks walang ginawa yan kundi mag-file ng kaso laban sa opisyales ng former administration at mag-resolve ng kaso against officials of the previous administration," Pichay said. "Si overacting Ombudsman Casimiro, naging instrument of injustice ng bagong pamahalaan," he said. "Ang sunod na hakbang, dalhin natin sa Court of Appeals. Very glaring ang katiwalian na ginawa ni Casimiro," Pichay added. On Monday, the Office of the Ombudsman ordered the dismissal from duty of Pichay and two other officials for acquiring a troubled thrift bank in 2008. Casimiro found Pichay, acting administrator Daniel Landingin and acting deputy administrator Wilfredo Feleo liable for grave misconduct for their “unlawful disbursement" of P780 million in LWUA funds to invest in the Laguna-based thrift bank Express Savings Bank Inc. (EXSBI). However, Pichay said the claims against him were baseless, belying the Ombudsman's claims he had no approval from the Office of the President. He insisted the LWUA under him exercised due diligence before acquiring the bank. "Ang paratang nila walang katotohanan yan, sabi nila walang approval sa Office of the President, meron tayong dokumentong ipapakita. We exercised due diligence," he said. He also said the LWUA managed to serve 12,000 households with the bank. "Kung ang bangko nakalingkod sa 12,000 households an average of 5 per household maraming napaglingkuran," he said. R.A. 10149 Meanwhile, Pichay said he will also question the law that renders the terms of directors and officials of government-owned and controlled corporations expired by June 30, 2011. He noted that under the law - Republic Act 10149 - his term would be considered to have ended as of June 30 yet the Ombudsman also ordered him dismissed. "Ano pa idi-dismiss e under that law tapos na aking term? Ang batas na yan kukuwestyunin natin yan, that's unconstitutional," he said. - VVP, GMA News