CEBU, Philippines - A pastor of a religious congregation in Kawit, Medellin was indicted for falsification of public documents after he allegedly forged the signature of a church benefactor from the United States of America to own part of the lot donated to the church.
Cebu Provincial Prosecutor Pepita Jane Petralba ordered the filing of the criminal case for falsification of public documents against Rolando Gerones before the Regional Trial Court in which P12,000 was the recommended bail for his temporary liberty.
Petralba however dismissed for lack of evidence the other criminal case for estafa against Gerones.The case stemmed from the complaints filed by Maximiana Duba against Gerones in July last year after the latter allegedly took advantage of the generosity of her sister to their religious congregation.
Gerones, pastor of the Jesus is Lord Almighty Church in Kawit, Medellin, allegedly received $4,000 or P200,000 from the complainant’s sister as financial assistance for the construction of their church.
Duba’s sister who married an American and is now living in the U.S. also donated a portion of her 600-square-meter property in Kawit, Medellin for the site of their church construction.
However, Gerones forged the signature of the donor in another document he prepared to make it appear that on top of the 150 square meters donated to the church another 150 square meters were sold to him.Duba found out that Gerones forged the signature of her sister because she was told that she did not sell the said property.
Gerones also failed to account for the P200,000 cash donation from Duba’s sister for the construction of their church. Petralba who personally reviewed and resolved the complaint only found probable cause to indict Gerones for falsification of public document.
The chief provincial prosecutor found the evidence wanting for the crime of estafa because there was no evidence to show that Gerones in deed received cash donation from the complainant’s sister. — Fred P. Languido/MEEV (THE FREEMAN)