Capitol exec asks ombud to reverse suspension order

By NICOLE MANAGBANAG
Correspondent

ACTING provincial accountant Marilou Rivera yesterday appealed the decision of the Office of the Ombudsman that found her guilty and slapped her with a one-year suspension order in connection with the capitol’s to pressure Pilipinas Kao Inc. to pay over P600 million in taxes in 2014.

Gov. Yevgeny Vicente Emano said the capitol is behind Rivera in her attempt to make the ombudsman reverse the ruling.

“We filed a motion for reconsideration with the Office of Ombudsman. If they will not honor our motion, then our resort will be the higher court,” Emano said.

Emano said this even as he questioned the ombudsman on why Rivera was singled out, and why she was subsequently suspended. He said he should have been the one because Rivera merely followed his orders.

“NangnongsiMariloupamananggi-suspend, nganongdili man akonalang?”Emano asked rhetorically as he spoke before capitol employees yesterday morning. “Nganongna-neglect of duty man ngasiMarilounagtrabaho man siyasapag-koliktasabuhis.Asa may neglect of duty diha?Ugnganong oppression man?Gi-unsa man niMariloupag-oppress   ang Pilipinas Kao?”

Emano said the capitol was prepared to bring the case to the Supreme Court. He said he would also bring the matter to the attention of President Duterte “in order to defend and protect Marilou.”

Rivera, now acting provincial accountant, served as acting provincial treasurer when capitol applied pressure on Pilipinas Kao so it would pay up.

Emano faulted his predecessor again, Cagayan de Oro Mayor Oscar Moreno, saying this would not have happened had the administration of the former governor collected the right real property taxes from Pilipinas Kao.

The capitol tried to collect from Pilipinas Kao real property taxes for the years 2002 to 2013 amounting to P631.5 million despite being informed by the Philippine Economic Zone Authority (Peza) that the firms enjoys an exemption based on a law.

The regional office of the Office of the Ombudsman, represented by Ma. Gemma Teresa Gavine, stood as the complainant against Rivera.

But Emano said it was Pilipinas Kao that was really behind the case that subsequently resulted in the order to suspend Rivera for one year.

Rivera, who holds the position of treasury operations officer, was found  guilty of oppression and neglect of duty in connection with the anomalous issuance of warrants of garnishment against Pilipinas Kao in 2014.

Emano called the lawsuit against Rivera a form of “harassment” meant to prevent the capitol from collecting taxes.

“There is no basis sapag-file sailakasoagainst Rivera. Tactic ranilakiniarundilisilamakabayadsamaongbuwis,” said Emano, maintaining that everything went through the right process.

He said Pilipinas Kao should pay what is due to the province and especially to the Jasaan town government.

“Gi-agisasaktongaproseso. Nay katungodanglungsodsaJasaanmagkoleta, apangidumili man ang PKI, so Jasaan resorted to legal action,” Emano explained. (with a report from nitzarancon)