Ombud to Charge Former DOTC Exec Assistant

The Office of the Ombudsman found probable cause to criminally charge the Head Executive Assistant (HEA) of former Department of Transportation and Communication (DOTC) Secretary Leandro Mendoza and a private person for falsifying travel documents.

In a 16-page Resolution, Ombudsman Conchita Carpio Morales ordered the filing of an Information against former HEA Romeo German for violating Article 171 (1) of the Revised Penal Code for falsifying the Travel Authority issued in his favor by counterfeiting the signature of former DOTC Secretary Mendoza.

Ombudsman Morales also ordered the filing of another Information against German and Maria Waneza Dy for violating Article 171 (1) and Article 172 (1) of the Revised Penal Code for having conspired with each other in falsifying the Travel Authority issued in favor of Dy.

The Field Investigation Office found that on July 18, 2006, German and Dy travelled to the United States using fake Travel Authorities purportedly issued by Mendoza.

“All the elements for violation of Article 171 (1), RPC are present. German as public officer being the HEA has the duty to make, or to prepare, or otherwise intervene in the preparation of documents emanating from the Office of the Secretary as he in fact had access to the bar codes being attached to all outgoing documents. He took advantage of his official position when he caused the preparation of the Travel Authorities in their favor and attached the series 4 bar codes in his possession to give the documents semblance of authenticity,” the resolution stated.

The complaints for violations of Article 174 and Article 175 were dismissed for lack of probable cause, while the charges against former DOTC Assistant Secretary Emmanuel Noel Cruz were also dismissed for lack of probable cause.