“THE evidence on record shows that the guilt of respondents Jeremiah B. Belgica, Educardo V. Bringas, Sheryl Pura Sumagui, Jedrek C. Ng and Melamy A. Salvadora-Asperin is strong and the charges against them involve grave misconduct, gross neglect of duty and conduct prejudicial to the best interest of the service which may warrant removal from the service,” wrote the Office of the Ombudsman in an order placing said Anti-Red Tape Authority (ARTA) directors under six months preventive suspension.
The evidence of strong guilt of said ARTA directors refers to their issued Resolution and Order of Automatic Approval ordering the assignment of Contingent Frequencies in favor of NOW telecom Company, Inc. last March 1, 2021.
NOW telecom made headlines for its failure to participate in the publicized selection process of the country’s third telco due to incomplete requirements.
The frequencies, however, that ARTA ordered to be assigned to NOW had already been assigned to DITO Telecommunity Inc., the selected third telco.
With less than a month left in the outgoing administration’s term, the penalty shall be converted into a fine in an amount equivalent to respondent’s salary during the period of the suspension payable to the Office of the Ombudsman.
The six months preventive suspension is necessary for the Ombudsman to secure the documents and to prevent possible harassment of witnesses and considering further that the continued stay of the five ARTA directors in office may prejudice the case filed against them.
