DAVAO CITY. Former Zamboanga Del Norte Governor Roberto Uy and several elected officials are now facing serious legal repercussions following allegations of graft and corruption. This comes after a complaint was filed with the Office of the Ombudsman detailing the illegal donation of government properties, equipment, and supplies amounting to approximately Php 900 million back in June 2022.
The complaint, filed by Alex Barrera, Aurelio Monteclaro, Leoncio Orilloza, Eng. Manuel Reinante, Eng. Arman Alpeche, and Dr. Eduardo Luayon, include accusations against not only Governor Uy but also Zamboanga del Norte Vice Governor Julius Napigquit, Dipolog City Vice Mayor Senen Angeles, and eight others from the 2019-2022 18th Sangguniang Panlalawigan of Zamboanga del Norte.
According to the 41-page complaint lodged on June 18, 2024, with the Office of the Deputy Ombudsman for Mindanao in Sta. Ana, Davao City, the former governor, and the Sangguniang Panlalawigan allegedly orchestrated the transfer of provincial government properties, equipment, and supplies to other LGUs and agencies just before Governor-elect Rosalina Jalosjos assumed office in June 2022.
“We’ve seen a lot of patients suffering because of the absence of medical equipment like dialysis machines, which have been taken away from our provincial hospital. Aping-api ang mga tao [The people are severely disadvantaged],” lamented Monteclaro, the provincial assistant administrator of Zamboanga del Norte.
Monteclaro revealed that despite 103 patients awaiting dialysis treatment at Zamboanga Del Norte Medical Center, the dialysis machine was donated to Corazon Aquino Hospital in Dipolog City, where it remains unused due to lacking accreditation.
The complaint further highlighted severe disruptions in essential services under the current administration, citing delays in projects due to the absence of service vehicles and heavy equipment.
“The people of Zamboanga del Norte are very upset because almost all of these donations went to one city, Dipolog, where the mayor is his son,” Monteclaro added.
Barrera criticized the Sangguniang Panlalawigan board members for rushing through numerous resolutions approving the transfer of properties, supplies, and equipment in the weeks leading up to their term expiration after the May 9 election.
“Within just four weeks, the Sangguniang approved a staggering 68 resolutions between May and June 2022, with 34 resolutions passed in a single day on June 7,” Barrera alleged. “This included the questionable donation of 32 brand-new heavy equipment to Dipolog City.”
The total value of the donated properties is estimated at Php 925 million, some of which were acquired through loans that are yet to be fully settled by the provincial government.
Orilloza highlighted a critical Audit Observation Memorandum from the Commission on Audit (COA), dated January 19, 2023, which stated that COA was not informed nor did they approve the transfer of real property to any government agency.
“As elected officials, they should have respected the COA’s oversight, but in this case, they did not,” Orilloza remarked.
The complainants emphasized that a significant portion of the donations favored Dipolog City, led by Mayor Darel Dexter Uy, son of the former governor.
The case underscores mounting allegations of misuse of public resources and breaches of procedural norms, prompting a thorough investigation by the Office of the Ombudsman.
Roy Tomandao
Si Roy Tumandao ay kasalukuyang pangulo ng Camp Vicente Lim Press Corps. Nagsimula siya sa larangan ng media noong 1992 at aktibo bilang photo journalist at news correspondent para sa iba’t ibang tabloid. Broadcaster siya ng DZJV 1458 Radyo Calabarzon.
