DepEd liaison officer faces estafa charges

CEBU, Philippines - The Office of the Ombudsman yesterday filed charges of estafa through falsification of documents against a liaison officer of the Department of Education (DepEd) 7.

The anti-graft office filed the case against Elbert Ybañez after it found probable cause on the complaint filed by Helen Catarig, a retired teacher of the Medellin Elementary School.

Graft investigator Llorene Grace Ompod said there was enough evidence to indict Ybañez for falsifying the signature of Catarig.

Catarig said that on August 15, 2007, she went to Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) office in Cebu City to apply for her Cash Surrender or Termination Value worth P1,710.20 only to find out that another person has applied for it by forging her signature.

On September 6, 2007, following the filing of a complaint, Assistant Deputy Ombudsman Virginia Santiago sent a letter to GSIS Branch Manager Cecelia Gasendo to inquire about the case.

In her reply, Gasendo said it was Ybañez who claimed Catarig’s Cash Surrender or Termination Value on March 14, 2007.

The Ombudsman then directed Yabañez to refute the allegation through a counter-affidavit, but he failed to do so, thus, the filing of the case in court.

Ompod recommended P24,000 bail for Ybañez’ temporary liberty.  (FREEMAN)