ANTIQUE – Gov. Rhodora J. Cadiao said she respects the decision of the Seventh Division of the Sandiganbayan to issue a warrant of arrest for alleged violation of Section 3(e) of Republic Act No. 30019 or the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act.
Cadiao posted a P90,000 bail in Kidapawan City, Cotabato on Friday, June 9.
“In view of the case bond posted by Rhodora Javier Cadiao for her provisional liberty in the above-entitled case, an order is hereby issued to the chief of police, PNP, Kidapawan City, Cotabato, or any other officer/s of the law to refrain and/or desist from arresting her, or if already arrested, to release her immediately from custody, unless held for another lawful cause/s,” read part of the release order signed by Rebecca Elena D. De Leon, presiding judge, 12th Judicial Region Municipal Trial Court in Kidapawan City, Cotabato.
The Antique governor said she immediately appeared before the Kidapawan City Police Station to surrender and post the P90,000 bail bond.
“Gusto ko mabal-an nanda nga wara takun nagadalagan sa responsibilidad,” she said.
Cadiao was in Kidapawan City to attend an event when she learned of the arrest warrant.
Cadiao also said she was only defending the public coffer.
“Everything will be settled kay makita man sang Sandiganbayan nga wara kita sang sala kag for now naga-respeto kita sa mandu sang Sandiganbayan nga ma-facilitate ang warrant of arrest. And I have full confidence in the court, especially Sandinbayan,” she added.
Associate Justice Ma. Theresa Dolores C. Gomes-Estoesta, the Division chairperson, issued the arrest warrant on Wednesday, June 7.
“You are hereby commanded to arrest Rhodora J. Cadiao, Barangay Badiang, San Jose de Buenavista, Antique, who stands charged with the above-stated crime, and bring said accused before this Court to be dealt with as the Law and Rules of Court direct,” read part of the order.
Cadiao’s case stemmed from her 2016 order reassigning General Service Officer Antonio A. Dela Vega to their Culasi satellite office, some 100 kilometers away from the provincial capitol in the capital town of San Jose.
Believing that his reassignment was tantamount to constructive dismissal, Dela Vega questioned the validity of the transfer order before the Civil Service Commission (CSC).
CSC ordered Dela Vega’s reinstatement to the Provincial General Services Office on March 2017 and further ordered the provincial government that he be paid the representation and travel allowance (RATA) and other benefits due him covering the time he was reassigned to Culasi (from July 2016 to February 2018).
Dela Vega decided to file a complaint against Cadiao before the Office of the Ombudsman Visayas in 2018 when he failed to get the benefits due to him as ordered by the CSC.
He complained that the governor did not sign his daily time record (DTR), which in turn also resulted in the failure of the Provincial Accountant and Provincial Treasurer to process the release of his benefits.
The Ombudsman found probable cause to indict Cadiao for one count of violation of Section 3(e) of Republic Act 3019 (Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act) in a resolution dated Sept. 2, 2019, signed by Deputy Ombudsman for the Visayas Paul Elmer Clemente and approved by Ombudsman Samuel Martires on Oct. 22, 2021./PN
