Kamputhaw captain charged for falsification of public documents

CEBU, Philippines - The Office of the Ombudsman-Visayas has indicted Kamputhaw Barangay Captain Lorenzo Basamot for falsification of public documents.

The anti-graft office filed the information of the case before the Regional Trial Court after finding probable cause against Basamot.

The case stemmed from Basamot’s alleged falsification of the trip tickets for him to use the government’s gasoline allocation for his private vehicle.

Based on the complaint earlier filed by the members of the Barangay Council, Basamot reportedly falsified a trip ticket making it appear that he was using the barangay service vehicle when he withdrew gasoline allocation from its authorized gasoline depot.

It was found out that Basamot was actually using his private car to the prejudice of the government. Basamot has withdrawn a total of P24,314.75 worth of gasoline from the depot.

According to the Ombudsman, allowing a privately owned vehicle to refuel using public funds is a violation of Commission on Audit Circular No. 96-004 dated April 1996.

Basamot admitted refueling his car using government funds sometime in 2002 and 2003 but argued that it was used for official purpose. He said he could not use the barangay vehicle then because it was under repair. – (FREEMAN)