CA affirms Ombudsman ruling clearing Ayong Maliksi in rice 'anomaly'

The Court of Appeals has affirmed the Office of the Ombudsman's decision in 2007 not to charge former Cavite Governor Erineo “Ayong” Maliksi over the purchase by the provincial government of P7.5 million worth of rice in October 2004.

Penned by Associate Justice Marie Christine Azcarraga-Jacob, the CA 16th Division found no merit in the petition of Maliksi's political rival, former Cavite Governor Juanito Victor “Jonvic” Remulla, that challenged the Ombudsman's resolution clearing Maliksi of criminal and administrative charges.

Remulla alleged the acquisition was a "ghost" transaction because "there were no sacks of rice delivered to the province."

He also claimed that the purchase did not undergo public bidding and that Maliksi gave unwarranted benefits to Capitol City Marketing from which the 7,500 sacks of rice were purchased.

However, the Ombudsman said the rice purchases qualified as an emergency purchase and was exempt from the requirement of public bidding.

The CA sided with the anti-graft body's findings, "there being no showing that they were arbitrarily or capriciously made."

“Substantial evidence has concretely shown in no uncertain terms that Maliksi had no wrongful intention or furtive design in procuring the subject sacks of rice," the appellate court said. — VVP, GMA News