CA upholds dismissal of ex-ARMM Gov. Ampatuan over unexplained wealth
By Kristine Joy V. Patag
Reporter
THE COURT of Appeals (CA) has upheld the Office of the Ombudsman’s dismissal of former Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) governor Zaldy U. Ampatuan over his unexplained wealth amounting to P70.67 million.
In a 22-page decision, the CA’s 14th Division junked Mr. Ampatuan’s petition to reverse the Ombudsman’s order of dismissal on June 26, 2015 and its subsequent affirmation on Sept. 23, 2015.
In June 2015, the anti-graft institution held that Mr. Ampatuan is guilty of serious dishonesty and grave misconduct, resulting in his dismissal from public service with the accessory penalties of cancellation of eligibility, forfeiture of retirement benefits, and perpetual disqualification from holding public office.
Three months later, following an appeal from Mr. Ampatuan, the Ombudsman issued a resolution junking his motion for reinvestigation.
The case stemmed from Mr. Ampatuan’s unexplained wealth and under-declared assets worth P70.67 million from 2000 to 2009, which were uncovered following a lifestyle check on the former ARMM leader.
The Ombudsman noted that Mr. Ampatuan’s statement of assets, liabilities and net worth (SALN) for the years 2000-2009 indicated a net worth of P6.99 million, without liabilities. In 2009, Mr. Ampatuan’s net worth ballooned to P19.29 million with total assets of P36.49 million and total liabilities of P17.2 million.
Listed as Mr. Ampatuan’s only business interest is the Maguindanao Pawnshop.
However, it was discovered that Mr. Ampatuan owns at least 38 houses and lots in different locations — including Shariff Aguak, Cotabato City, Davao City and Metro Manila — amounting to P58.48 million, none of which were declared in his SALN.
The CA decision reads, “In this case, the evidence presented by the respondent (lifestyle check panel) well supports the findings of the Office of the Ombudsman that petitioner did not only fail to disclose all his and his wife’s assets but also failed to provide an explanation as to how he and/or his wife acquired assets.”
The decision dated July 5, 2017 was penned by Associate Justice Henri Jean-Paul B. Inting. Concurring were Associate Justices Ramon R. Garcia and Leoncia R. Dimagiba.
Mr. Ampatuan — son of the clan’s patriarch, the late Andal Ampatuan, Sr. — is also among those charged in the Maguindanao massacre that resulted in the death of 58 individuals, including 32 journalists and other workers in media on Nov. 23, 2009. The members of the media were accompanying supporters of then-gubernatorial aspirant Esmael G. Mangudadatu, who was scheduled to file his certificate of candidacy that day.
