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The Office of the Ombudsman has placed Cebu Port Authority general manager Francisco Comendador III under preventive suspension for six months over allegations of grave misconduct and gross neglect of duty
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Comendador said he will abide by the directive “to ensure the integrity and impartiality of the investigation”
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The suspension order stems from the case filed by Oriental Port and Allied Services Corp., which provides cargo-handling services at Cebu International Port
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OPASCOR has accused Comendador of violating a policy that allows private commercial ports to accommodate port users only in cases of emergency, necessity or congestion at government ports
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OPASCOR said this resulted in the transfer of some shipping line services from CIP to the private commercial port, which in turn resulted in the decline in cargo throughput, ship calls, and utilization at CIP
The Office of the Ombudsman has placed Cebu Port Authority (CPA) general manager Francisco Comendador III under preventive suspension for six months over allegations of grave misconduct and gross neglect of duty.
In a statement on September 8, Comendador said he will abide by the directive “to ensure the integrity and impartiality of the investigation.”
“I am currently consulting with my legal counsel to determine the appropriate legal remedies available to me,” Comendador added.
CPA acting deputy general manager Glenn Castillo will be in charge while Comendador is under preventive suspension.
The suspension order, dated August 20 signed by Ombudsman Jesus Crispin Remulla, stems from the case filed by Oriental Port and Allied Services Corp. (OPASCOR), which provides cargo-handling services at Cebu International Port (CIP).
“After a careful examination of the records, and without delving into the merits of this case nor prejudging the same, this Office finds that the evidence against respondent Comendador is strong at this time,” the order stated.
The preventive suspension is a preliminary measure intended to prevent the respondent from influencing witnesses or tampering with records relevant to the complaint, the order added.
OPASCOR has accused Comendador of violating CPA Administrative Order (AO) No. 02-2010 for allegedly allowing vessels to dock and conduct cargo operations at a private commercial port in Talisay City. OPASCOR said this resulted in the transfer of some shipping line services from CIP to the private commercial port, which in turn resulted in the decline in cargo throughput, ship calls, and utilization at CIP.
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Under AO No. 02-2010, private commercial ports are allowed to accommodate port users only in cases of emergency, necessity or congestion at government ports and upon written authority of CPA.
OPASCOR also accused Comendador of failing to take adequate action on the private commercial port’s alleged violations involving revenue remittances and cargo-handling fees.
The Office of the Deputy Ombudsman for the Visayas has been directed to immediately implement the suspension order, which is immediately executory and would not be interrupted by any motion, appeal, or petition that the respondent may file, unless otherwise ordered by the Ombudsman or a court with jurisdiction.
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