Ombudsman Conchita Carpio Morales has ordered the filing with the Sandiganbayan of Informations against Prospero Pichay, Jr. for violation of Section 3(e) of the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act (Republic Act No. 3019) and Section 7(a) of the Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees (Republic Act No. 6713). Also included in the charge sheet are Local Water Utilities Administration (LWUA) executives Daniel Landingin, Emmanuel Malicdem and Wilfredo Feleo.
The criminal charges stem from the illegal payment of P1.5million representing the sponsorship grant given to the National Chess Federation of the Philippines (NCFP) in August 2010. Documents show that Pichay, et.al. approved and facilitated the sponsorship of the 2nd Chairman Prospero Pichay Jr. Cup International Chess Championship.
In its Resolution, the Ombudsman said that “Feleo, Malicdem and Landingin were manifestly partial to NCFP, a private organization headed by their superior, Pichay.” It added that “the allocation is excessive and dubious, especially since holding or sponsoring sporting events like chess tournaments is not among LWUA’s primary purposes.”
According to Ombudsman Morales, “NCFP received the sponsorship amount from the LWUA only because of its association with Pichay, not because it was legally entitled to it.”
As to the charge for violation of the Code of Conduct, “Pichay’s financial and material interest in the NCFP’s sponsorship request is undeniable” as “the sponsorship sought by the chess organization was intended for a tournament named in Pichay’s honor.”
Section 3(e) prohibits public officials from causing any undue injury to any party, including the Government, or giving any private party any unwarranted benefits, advantage or preference in the discharge of his official administrative or judicial functions through manifest partiality, evident bad faith or gross inexcusable negligence. On the other hand, Section 7(a) of R.A. No. 6713 prohibits public officials from having any direct or indirect financial or material interest in any transaction requiring the approval of their office. ###