Poll execs in folder scam fight suspension order
By Benjamin B. Pulta 08/23/2010 Commission on Elections (Comelec) officials allegedlly behind the orchestration of supply contracts for overpriced Ballot Secrecy Folders (BSF) during last May’s elections are asking the Court of Appeals (CA) for a restraining order to stop the Office of the Ombudsman from implementing the suspension order against them. In a petition before the appellate court, suspended Comelec Bids and Awards Committee chairman lawyer Maria Lea Alarkon and BAC members Allen Francis Abaya, Maria Norina Casingal, Martin Niedo Antonio Santella urged that a temporary restraining order be issued against Ombudsman Maria Merceditas Navarro-Gutierrez. They claimed that the anti-graft office committed grave abuse of discretion amounting to lack or excess of jurisdiction when it issued the suspension order against them for a period of six months without the benefit of hearing or giving them a chance to file counter-affidavits. “The petitioners were deprived of their right to due process. There is insufficient evidence to conclude that the evidence of guilt as against the petitioners is strong as the bases for the conclusion are nothing but bare allegations alleged in the complaint. There is no showing that the petitioners’ continued stay might prejudice the case against them,” the complainants noted.... MORE |
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