Principal dismissed for falsification, dishonesty

CEBU, Philippines - The principal of the Talisay City Central School, Talisay City, was ordered dismissed from service by the Office of the Ombudsman Visayas after she was found guilty of dishonesty and falsification of official documents.

Graft investigator Jane Aguilar likewise said Maria Lourdes Ipong will forfeit all her benefits and is disqualified for re-employment in government service.

Aguilar then directed Department of Education-7 Regional Director Recaredo Borgonia to implement the decision and requested him to submit a compliance report to their office.

It was the advisers and officers of the Talisay City Swimming and Life Saving Assoc., Inc. who filed a complaint against Ong.

The association helps train and prepare the members of the Talisay Swimming Team for swimming competitions in coordination with Ipong who was also the Physical Education and School Sports Coordinator of the Talisay City Central School.

The complainants alleged that on April 2006, their swimmers joined the swimming competition as representatives of the Central Visayas Regional Athletic Association held in Tagbilaran City, Bohol.

They said they were told by Ipong that there were no funds allocated by the Talisay City government for swimsuits of the swimmers.

However, the complainant found out that Ipong asked and received from the Talisay City government reimbursement of the swimsuits and the swimming trunks that she allegedly purchased.

The complainants submitted copies of disbursement vouchers proving Ipong reimbursed and received P12,600.

The complainants submitted the joint-affidavit of the nine swimmers stating they were the members of Talisay City Swimming and Life Saving Assoc., Inc. and they did not receive any swimsuits.

The nine swimmers likewise said they did not sign the acknowledgment receipt of the equipment.

In her counter-affidavit, Ipong said she did not process the documents for reimbursement.

Ipong maintained it was the officials and employees of Talisay City who prepared the voucher and she had no hand in processing the documents. Ipong said when she was given the check by the City Treasurer’s Office she received it thinking it was for her because she was the payee.

She said she usually received reimbursements for the expenses she incurred during different competitions.

“If ever there was a mistake in the processing of the documents or a mistake in the giving of the money, it was not my intention to commit a crime and I am willing to cooperate in correcting such a mistake,” Ipong said.

However, Aguilar said Ipong can neither pretend ignorance nor assert that she thought that it was for reimbursement of the expenses she personally paid as the disbursement voucher reflects her handwritten name and signature.

Moreover, Aguilar added the athletes denied the acknowledgement receipt that the signatures besides their name were their signatures and claimed they did not receive the swimsuits. (FREEMAN)