EDGAR D. Santos, head of Calamba City's Registry, was slapped
a six-month preventive suspension without pay by the Office of the Ombudsman
yesterday over alleged involvement in land title fraud.
Ombudsman Ma. Merceditas N. Gutierrez signed the order of
suspension based on a complaint filed by Vedasto B. Gesmundo against the public
official and private respondent Lolita Rellama.
Gesmundo claimed a transfer certificate of title (TCT) for
his property was issued and released to Rellama on the basis of a deed of sale
allegedly executed by his late wife, Nelly Nave, at a time when the latter was
confined in the hospital prior to her death in 1992.
Gesmundo said the documents used by Rellama to secure a new
TCT were "fake, falsified and defective" due to several errors in fact.
He said Santos "obstinately refused" to give copies of the
purported deed of sale and other documents despite repeated demands from his
lawyer.
Gutierrez said evidence of grave misconduct against Santos is
strong and warrants the imposition of preventive suspension against him.
She said Santos' continued stay in office might affect the outcome of the
administrative case against him through use of influence, intimidation or even
force on his subordinates to testify in his favor. - Peter J.G. Tabingo
