The Dismissal of Cases Against Masbate Gov. Antonio Kho: A Closer Look
The recent news of the dismissal of the remaining ten cases against Masbate Governor Antonio Kho has garnered attention and raised questions about the circumstances surrounding the complaints. The dismissal came after Ruben Fuentes, a Masbate media practitioner, filed an affidavit of desistance for the ten complaints he had previously lodged against Kho and ten officials of the provincial government of Masbate.
The Background of the Complaints
Fuentes had initially filed fifteen cases against Kho and the officials, alleging anomalous disbursement of public funds. However, in his affidavit of desistance, Fuentes admitted that there were no anomalous acts that could be inferred from his complaints. He further apologized to Kho and the other provincial officials for the baseless and malicious nature of the cases.
In his two-page affidavit, Fuentes acknowledged that the complaints were “prematurely filed” and that the dismissed cases were similar to the ten remaining complaints. He explained that he had relied on incomplete information when he filed the graft cases against Kho.
The Role of the Commission on Audit (COA)
Fuentes revealed that the basis for his complaints was the findings and observations contained in the management letter of the annual audit report of the Commission on Audit (COA). However, he realized that these findings were not final as they were still subject to the agency’s comments or compliance with the COA’s recommendations.
He emphasized that the COA issuances could not be used to infer acts of anomalies or corruption without a complete appreciation of the facts and circumstances surrounding each project. Fuentes recognized that the conclusions drawn from audit reports hinge on technical matters and may still require clarification through discussions with the COA and the public officer.
The Implications and Repercussions
The dismissal of the cases against Governor Kho has undoubtedly brought relief to him and the other officials of the Masbate provincial government. It is a significant development that clears their names and reputation in the eyes of their constituents.
Governor Kho, who was reelected in 2022, has been recognized as one of the top performing governors by the independent survey firm RP-MD Foundation. This recognition is a testament to his efforts in establishing linkages via shipping routes from Masbate to Bicol, Calabarzon (Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal, Quezon), and Visayas.
Furthermore, the provincial government’s achievements in poverty reduction have been acknowledged by the Philippine Statistics Authority. The government’s initiatives resulted in an 11.3 percent decrease in poverty incidence from 2018 to 2023.
The Masbate provincial government has also received substantial support funds for maintaining peace and order and the surrender of hundreds of rebels through the Pamana (Payapa at Masaganang Pamayanan) program of the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process. Additionally, the government secured funds for rural infrastructure projects amounting to P4 billion from the Philippine Rural Development Program.
Conclusion
The dismissal of the cases against Masbate Governor Antonio Kho, following Ruben Fuentes’ affidavit of desistance, has shed light on the circumstances surrounding the complaints. Fuentes’ admission of premature filing and the reliance on incomplete information has provided clarity on the baseless nature of the cases.
As the governor continues his term and focuses on his endeavors to improve the province, the recognition received for his performance and the achievements of the provincial government highlight their commitment to progress. The dismissal of the cases serves as a reminder of the importance of due process and the need for accurate and complete information when making allegations against public officials.
Source: The Manila Times
