The Office of the Ombudsman has ordered five Anti-Red Tape Authority (ARTA) officials led by Director General Jeremiah Belgica suspended for six months for their involvement in a graft case in choosing the new telco player in the country.
In an order made last May 24 but only made public on Sunday, Ombudsman Samuel Martires explained the preventive suspension complies with Section 24 of Republic Act 6770 or the Ombudsman Act of 1989.
Other ARTA officials covered by the suspension are Deputy Director General Eduardo Bringas, Division Chief Sheryl Pura-Sumagui, Director Jedreck Ng, and Director Melamy Salvadora-Asperin.
Their suspension stemmed from the case filed by telecommunications firm DITO Telecommunity Inc. through their administrative officer Adel Tamano for violating Republic Act 3019 or the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act.
The complaint alleged the implicated ARTA officials gave preferential treatment to NOW Telecom Company Inc. in choosing the New Major Player (NMP) in the country’s telecom industry, which was conducted by the National Telecommunications Commission.
Martires said NOW purchased bidding documents but did not participate in the NMP selection process.
“The evidence on record shows the guilt of respondents Jeremiah B. Belgica, Eduardo V. Bringas, Sheryl Pura Sumagui, Jedrek C. Ng and Melamy A. Salvadora-Asperin is strong and the charges against them involve Neglect of Duty and Conduct Prejudicial to the Best Interest of the Service, which may warrant removal from service,” Martires said.
The Ombudsman’s order was transmitted to Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea last June 3.
Belgica has yet to comment on the suspension order issued against them.
It remains to be seen if Belgica will serve the suspension, as the ARTA Director-General is coterminous with the tenure of the President, according to Section 18 of Republic Act 11032 or the Ease of Doing Business and Efficient Government Service Delivery Act of 2018.
President Rodrigo Duterte’s term will end on June 30.