Governor, ex-lawmaker face Ombudsman prelim probe

MANILA, Philippines — Surigao del Sur Governor Johnny Pimintel and former Pampanga Rep. Aurelio Dong Gonzalez Jr. are now the subject of the Office of the Ombudsman’s preliminary investigation process over alleged links to construction firms that won Public Works contracts while they were in office, Assistant Ombudsman Mico Clavano said on Tuesday.

Pimintel, a former representative of Surigao del Sur’s 2nd District, and Gonzalez face a graft complaint due to alleged conflict of interest, according to Clavano.

Section 3(h) of Republic Act 3019, or the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act, prohibits government officials from having direct or indirect financial interest in any business, contract, or transaction in which they intervene or take part in their official capacity.

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“Former Representative and now Governor Pimentel is likewise being linked to a corporation that has secured government infrastructure contracts and his case remains under preliminary investigation,” Clavano said in a press conference.

Clavano said they are awaiting Pimentel’s filing of a counter-affidavit before submitting his case for resolution.

Inquirer sought comment from Pimentel’s camp, but he has yet to respond as of posting; Inquirer will publish his side once available.

As for Gonzales, Clavano said: “Former Representative Gonzalez is facing a conflict of interest complaint over reports that a firm linked to his family secured hundreds of millions of pesos in DPWH contracts during his time in Congress.”

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Clavano said Gonzales denied the complaint.

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“He has publicly disputed the complaint but the case is now up for resolution following preliminary investigation,” Clavano also said of Gonzales.

Fact-finding is the first step of this process conducted by the anti-graft body’s investigators, which is usually confidential.

Only when it reached the preliminary investigation stage could the respondents be informed of the complaints, which they could answer via a counter-affidavit.

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Cases could only be filed either in the Regional Trial Court or the Sandiganbayan after the resolution of preliminary investigation. /cb