Ombudsman, GSIS Inspect Jinggoy’s Office
Senate President Sherwin Gatchalian reiterated that turning over a dismantled office was not standard practice, contrary to Estrada’s claim that he was entitled to do so because he had used personal funds to renovate the room.
The Office of the Ombudsman and the Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) have inspected detained Sen. Jinggoy Estrada’s stripped Senate office, with the former looking into possible legal violations and the latter checking the structural integrity of the dismantled space, Senate President Sherwin Gatchalian confirmed on Saturday, Oct. 10.
Speaking to radio I, Gatchalian said the Senate is cooperating with the ombudsman, which inspected the office on the sixth floor last Thursday to look into Estrada’s decision to strip the room of its furnishings and fixtures instead of turning it over in usable condition to its next occupant, Senate President Pro Tempore Vicente Sotto III.
“They did not say what their purpose was. It is obvious, the ombudsman. So my instruction to the secretary was to give them our cooperation and assist them with their needs. And to be truthful and honest with the documents,” Gatchalian said.
The GSIS management also inspected the office a few days ago after seeing photographs of its condition, Gatchalian said.
The Senate rents a portion of the GSIS building.
“The GSIS also came a few days ago when they saw the picture and conducted an inspection. The GSIS is concerned about the structural integrity of the office because the office belongs to them,” he said.
Gatchalian reiterated that turning over a dismantled office was not standard practice, contrary to Estrada’s claim that he was entitled to do so because he had used personal funds to renovate the room.
Estrada’s removal of the office’s furnishings, including the toilet, electrical sockets and wall panels, means Sotto will have to undertake a major renovation, with the government shouldering the cost.
“In other words, there should be mutual respect so that no one is caught by surprise when they enter and find the office bare. And because it is bare, the government will have to spend because it has a budget for renovation,” Gatchalian said.
He expressed disappointment over Estrada’s lack of courtesy toward Sotto, saying the condition of the office would delay the latter’s transfer.
“I am really disappointed. You saw the picture. It was completely bare. And Senator Sotto will need quite a long time to renovate that office,” Gatchalian said.
“But the bottom line here is that I wish there had been a good discussion. I wish there had been proper coordination so that Senator Sotto’s transfer would not be delayed and the government would not have to spend,” he added. Estrada is detained over plunder charges before the Sandiganbayan in connection with alleged kickbacks from flood control projects.
