Ombudsman Morales
Sinuspinde ng Office of the Ombudsman ang commandant ng Philippine Coast Guard at 24 na iba pa kaugnay ng maanomalya umanong pagbili ng office supplies at information technology equipment na nagkakahalaga ng P67.5 milyon.
Anim na buwang suspendido sina Rear Admiral William Melad, Vice-Admiral Rodolfo Isorena, Rear Admiral Cecil Chen, Commodores Enrico Efren Evangelista, Jr. at Aaron Reconquista; Commander John Esplana, William Arquero, Jude Thaddeus Besinga, Roben De Guzman, Angel Lobaton IV, Ferdinand Panganiban, Joselito Quintas, Ivan Roldan, Rommel Supangan, George Ursabia, Jr., Ferdinand Velasco, Wilfred Burgos at Allen Dalangin; Captains Joeven Fabul, Angelito Gil, Ramon Lopez, Christopher Villacorte, Lt. Junior Grade Mark Franklin Lim II, Lt. Mark Larsen Mariano at Accounting Head Rogelio Caguioa.
Ang mga nabanggit ay nahaharap sa kasong Grave Misconduct, Serious Dishonest at Conduct Prejudicial to the Best Interest of the Service dahil hindi umano dumaan sa tamang proseso ang paggamit nila ng pondo.
“The respondents’ respective positions allow them to wield influence on possible witnesses and to access public records, [and] their continued stay in office may not only prejudice the cases against them but also allow them to commit further acts of malfeasance,” saad ng desisyon ni Ombudsman Conchita Carpio Morales.
Inatasan ni Morales si Transportation Sec. Arthur Tugade na ipatupad ang suspensyon.