By Paulo Loreto Lim

In response to Deputy Ombudsman for Visayas Paul Emler Clemente slapping Negros Occidental Governor Alfredo Marañon, Jr. with criminal and administrative charges, last month, the governor has since responded with a counter-affidavit, claiming the case filed against him “has no leg to stand in law.”
According to the decision by the Office of the Ombudsman-Visayas, “The cases will undergo administrative adjudication and preliminary investigation.”
In response to charges of grave misconduct, the governor listed the aspects that fall under the term grave misconduct, including “wrongful, improper, or unlawful conduct motivated by premeditated, obstinate, or intentional purpose;” which he asserted, “None of the elements of dishonesty and grave misconduct can be attributed to me.”
Marañon also called the characterization of him acting in bad faith as “erroneous,” which claims, upon entering the contract of sale, there was no guarantee the land would be transferred to the government, which, in turn, he called “obviously disadvantageous to the government.”
The counter-affidavit also addressed the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program (CARP) issue, wherein Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) Secretary Rafael Mariano claimed the purchased land falls under the CARP, making it subject for distribution.
The governor acknowledged a notice of coverage that was previously issued, indicating one of the land areas fell under CARP, however, he argued, “The issuance of a notice of coverage is merely a preliminary step for the state’s acquisition of the land for agrarian reform purposes.”
Marañon also discussed farmworkers who had previously set up a campsite outside the Provincial Capitol protesting the governor, saying they “have no vested right to be considered over the subject landholdings.”
“Even if they claim to be alleged registered potential CARP beneficiaries, the same does not help their cause,” he explained. “They are only included on the list of those who may be awarded land under CARP.”
“Landholdings involved here were not awarded to them,” he asserted.
The governor is being brought up on charges in violation of Section 3(e) of RA 3019, or the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act, which pertains to giving preference and unwarranted benefits to private parties; along with grave misconduct and dishonesty.
The charges, filed by the Field Investigation Office (FIO), were made following a fact-finding investigation surrounding the purchase of around 150 hectares of land, located in Barangays Sta. Rosa and Canlandog, Murcia, from the heirs of the Arguelles family in March 2012.
The governor has repeatedly lobbied to have the land excluded from CARP, which was dismissed. He subsequently filed an appeal, which was also declined./WDJ