THE Office of the Ombudsman has dismissed without prejudice the criminal and administrative cases filed against former Cagayan de Oro City Mayor Oscar Moreno over the alleged misuse of Covid-19 ‘Ayuda’ funds.
City Councilors Atty. James Judith and Malvern Esparcia filed the charges of graft, corruption, and falsification of public documents on May 19, 2023, against Moreno, City Social Welfare Development Officer Teddy Sabugaa, and program overseer Michael Fabello.
The complaint alleged the misuse of over P7 billion in aid funds during the pandemic.
However, in a decision released on February 3, the Ombudsman ruled that the complainants failed to provide convincing evidence that the respondents’ actions met the legal elements of the charges.
The decision also emphasized that the Commission on Audit (COA) reviews government expenditures.
In a statement on February 6, Moreno said the ruling vindicates him from what he called “baseless and malicious accusations.”
“From the very beginning, as I have repeatedly emphasized, the complaint had no solid ground. It was built on speculation, conjecture, and unfounded claims,” Moreno's statement reads in part.
He accused Judith and Esparcia of politically exploiting the issue, saying the controversy helped them secure city council seats.
Meanwhile, Judith vowed to refile the case, arguing that the Ombudsman did not fully consider its merits.
“Sa pikas tampi ingon sila undangon na daw nako. Katawaha sila kay na dismiss ang kaso. Dili man, naa la’y na gi bypass nako (COA). Wala nako naagian pero padayon gyapon ang kaso until naa pay korte ang Sandiganbayan ba kaha o ang Supreme Court ba kaha nga muingon nga sayop gyud ka Judith. Wala gyud kay makita Judith. Pag undang na or sakto ka Judith padayon na,” Judith told Gold Star Daily.
He added that he will formally request COA’s findings next week before refiling the case.
“Ang COA gyud pinakabug-at. Mao na akong problemahan karon kay akong time table maapektuhan kay dili baya ka kabalo kanus-a mag release si COA sa iyang (findings),” Judith said.
