SAN JOSE, Antique – Antique’s Gov. Rhodora Cadiao has released documents showing that the Office of the Ombudsman has finally dismissed criminal and administrative charges leveled against her by a former official of the provincial government.
The Sandiganbayan issued a preventive suspension order and warrant of arrest against Cadiao in September last year.
The suspension order was the result of the Ombudsman’s filing of graft charges against Cadiao upon the complaint of the head of the government services office Antonio dela Vega who claimed that she had unjustly transferred him to the Culasi satellite office.
The Sandiganbayan however dismissed the criminal complaint for lack of jurisdiction a month later because there was no allegation of damage to the government. The proper court to try the case would have been the regional trial court.
The Ombudsman in his latest order declined to re-file the charges with the regional trial court because dela Vega has in the meantime desisted from further prosecuting the case.
The Ombudsman also dismissed the companion administrative charges against Cadiao because of dela Vega’s desistance.
“It is a gift from heaven, a striking evidence of the approbation and interposition of divine providence, for which I am thankful,” Cadiao said after learning of the decision of the Ombudsman./PN
