The Office of the Ombudsman-Visayas has dismissed all three complaints filed against Romeo Ceasar Manikan, the former Iloilo City Civil Registrar’s Office (CCRO) head.
The anti-graft body found no probable cause to hold Manikan for trial for alleged violations of Section 3(e) of the Republic Act 3019 or the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act.
The criminal complaints were filed by CCRO employees, namely Jose E. Pisueña Jr., Araceli N. Villavincencio, and Cherie Jover Ampig.
Pisueña and Villavincencio’s complaints stemmed from Manikan’s alleged refusal to sign their Daily Time Records (DTRs).
Ampig, on the other hand, filed a partial motion for consideration relative to the graft complaint she lodged against Manikan, which was also dismissed by the Ombudsman.
“For lack of jurisdiction and for being a duplication, the administrative case for misconduct against (Manikan) is likewise dismissed,” read a part of the Ombudsman decision.
In December last year, the Ombudsman ordered the indictment of Ampig for allegedly falsifying her DTR.
Manikan, in a statement, said: “I have stood by what is right and the dismissals of their complaint against me is beyond proof that I am the one on the right path.”
“We have a just God. No act with evil intentions will always win,” he added.
Manikan also emphasized that he harbors no ill feelings against his complainants.
“I humbly request that they seek forgiveness to the Lord so they may have peace with their conscience,” he said.IMT
