Employees of the Anti-Red Tape Authority (ARTA) on Tuesday expressed support for their officials who have been suspended by the Office of the Ombudsman for alleged grave misconduct.
The officials, which included ARTA director-general Jeremiah Belgica, have been suspended for their involvement in a graft case filed by DITO Telecommunications Corp., alleging that they favored a new telco player in the country.
In a statement, the ARTA Employees' Association (ARTA-EA) showed its support for Belgica by pointing out the "significant strides" of the agency under his leadership.
"We believe that Secretary Belgica's brand of leadership that is anchored on integrity, accountability, and transparency has been one of the pillars that made possible the transformative milestones of the agency," the ARTA-EA.
According to the association, it recognizes the duty of the Ombudsman to probe the case and hopes that it will observe due process in doing so.
"The ARTA-EA recognizes the mandate of the Ombudsman to probe into the matter brought into its cognizance," said the association.
"We likewise put our faith in our laws and our institutions and trust that due process be observed in resolving the case."
Along with Belgica, the following officials were also suspended by the Office of the Ombudsman due to the allegations of grant.
- Undersecretary Eduardo Bringas, Deputy Director-General for Legal
- Director Melamy Saladora-Asperin, Director IV of the Investigation, Enforcement, and Litigation Office (IELO)
- Attorney Jedrek Ng, Former Director IV of the IELO and the Legal and Public Assistance Office
- Attorney Sheryl Pura-Sumagui, Division Chief of the Litigation Division
Belgica and the four other officials have already filed a joint motion for reconsideration before the Office of the Ombudsman to appeal against their six-month suspension over the graft complaint by the DITO Telecommunications Corp.
Belgica said they hope to clarify the matter with their appeal, adding that they will comply to the suspension order "out of delicadeza."
