Ombudsman dismisses raps vs. Labor chief Bello over Manila Bay Dev’t Corp deal

Outgoing Ombudsman Conchita Carpio Morales on Thursday confirmed that the charges against Department of Labor and Employment Secretary Silvestre Bello III were dismissed last week due to insufficient evidence against him.

Morales said the case against Bello's more than 20 co-respondents, which includes former Senator Ramon Revilla Sr., was also dismissed.

"The cases against Secretary Bello and I think 20 or more others were dismissed last week. It was dismissed for insufficient evidence, if I recall it correctly. There are more than 20 of them, including former Senator Ramon Revilla... the old Revilla," Morales told reporters in an interview.

Morales said the case stemmed from Bello's alleged non-enforcement of liquidated damages. She, however, declined to give further details on the matter.

"It was about I think failure to enforce the provision of the contract for enforcement of liquidated damages. That's all I'm going to tell you. I think Secretary Bello explained it when he was being interviewed by the JBC (Judicial and Bar Council)," she said.

MBDC obligation

Based on the joint resolution later obtained by GMA News Online, the Ombudsman proper junked the complaint filed by its Field Investigation Office (FIO) against Bello and other PRA officials for graft and gross neglect of duty.

The FIO had accused them of failing to enforce the contractual obligations of the Manila Bay Development Corporation (MBDC) under the 1988 deed of sale for the development of a 410,467-square-meter area along Roxas Boulevard, Seaside End, Parañaque City dubbed as the Central Business Park II.

Investigators said the deed of sale stated that project completion was expected by 2002, but records showed MBDC finished its development of the property between 2013 and 2016.

The delay thus caused the government to suffer an undue injury in the amount of P47.2 million in performance bond due to the PRA's failure to ensure MBDC adheres to its contract, according to the FIO.

The Ombudsman, however, said there is no evidence that makes Bello and the other PRA officials liable since they were unaware of such performance bond.

"There is no evidence, documentary or otherwise, that respondents actually had knowledge of the subject performance bond and the conditions of its forfeiture," the 28-page resolution read.

"Respondents correctly pointed out that PRA, or any office with the specific responsibility and expertise on the matter, did not issue any technical or audit report to sustain complainant's conclusion that the bond should have been forfeited in view of MBDC's breach of obligation," it added.

JBC interview

During his JBC interview on Wednesday, Bello said he has learned that his case over a 1988 contract involving the Philippine Reclamation Authority (PRA) has been dismissed. He is a former general manager and chief executive officer of the PRA.

Bello, who aspires to become Morales' successor, also showed reporters a certification dated June 19 from the Office of the Ombudsman that says he has "no pending criminal and administrative cases" with the anti-graft body.

Morales said the case was ripe for resolution and has nothing to do with the timing of Bello's application as Ombudsman.

"They were ripe for resolution. They kept on filing motions for early resolution. Perhaps they were confident the case would not merit serious consideration," she said.

Morales will end her seven-year term on July 26.

Other candidates seeking to take her place are Supreme Court Associate Justice Samuel Martires, Sandiganbayan Associate Justice Efren dela Cruz, Davao judge Carlos Espero II, and lawyers Edna Herrera-Batacan, Rey Nathaniel Ifurung, Rainier Madrid, Felito Ramirez, and Rex Rico and Special Prosecutor Edilberto Sandoval. — MDM, GMA News