complaint-affidavit of Pampanga Governor Eddie T. Panlilio

To: Office of the Ombudsman
July 16, 2008

Hon. Ma. MERCEDITAS N. GUTIERREZ
Ombudsman
Ombudsman Building
Agham Road, North Triangle
Diliman, Quezon City 1101
Philippines

MADAM:

We support the complaint-affidavit of Pampanga Governor Eddie T. Panlilio filed against Rodolfo “Bong” Pineda for the crime of plunder on June 21, 2008.

Former Ombudsman Aniano Desierto, in a press statement sometime in July 1, 2002 stated that Rodolfo “Bong” Pineda will be indicted in the plunder case of ousted President Joseph Estrada. He was not indicted.

In an interview with the Manila Times sometime in September 24, 2007, Special Prosecutor Dennis Villa-Ignacio said that the decision of the Sandiganbayan is clear that the suspected jueteng lords, who were mentioned in the ruling, are the source of the jueteng funds of Estrada in his jueteng affairs. The suspected jueteng lords mentioned among others Bong Pineda.

Special Prosecutor Villa-Ignacio said that he is just waiting for the finality of the Sandiganbayan Special Division ruling convicting Estrada for the crime of plunder and after which he will take the next move.

The decision of the Sandiganbayan has long become final and executory. Former President Joseph Estrada has been pardoned from the crime but to date, no plunder charge was filed against Bong Pineda and the other jueteng lords mentioned in the decision.

We, church leaders of various Christian denominations, cause-oriented groups and individual supporters of the crusade of Governor Eddie T. Panlilio for good governance, demand from your office to act on the complaint filed by Governor Eddie T. Panlilio and consider us all whose signatures appear below as co-complainants.

We strongly urge your Honorable Office to do the right thing in line with your campaign against graft and corruption.


Sincerely,