Ex-SK chairman indicted for malversation

CEBU, Philippines - A former Sangguniang Kabataan chairman of Barangay Camputhaw was indicted for malversation of public property after he allegedly failed to return a sound system issued to him during his incumbency.

The Office of the Ombudsman Visayas filed the criminal case before the Regional Trial Court in Cebu City against former SK chairman Daryl Jared Surian. Anti-graft investigator Euphemia Bacalso found probable cause to indict Surian of the crime following the preliminary investigation.

The anti-graft body has recommended P40,000 bail for Surian’s temporary liberty.

The case stemmed from a complaint filed by Barangay Captain Lorenzo Basamot after Surian refused to return a Cititronic sound system and its accessories issued to him by the barangay during his incumbency as SK chairman from July 2002 to October 2007.

The barangay demanded for the return of the sound system worth P206,511 after Surian’s term ended in 2007. However, the former SK chairman denied having received the equipment.

Basamot presented a memorandum receipt supposedly signed by Surian acknowledging receipt of the sound system. According to Basamot, he withheld Surian’s clearance when the latter asked for it because of his pending accountability.

SK councilors Kirk Peter Ancao and Michael Lopez also testified that they knew Surian is in possession of the said equipment because they went with him at a repair shop in Borromeo St. where the sound system was repaired. (FREEMAN NEWS)