CEBU, Philippines - The Office of the Ombudsman-Visayas recommended the filing of a criminal case against two former officials of Barangay Kalubihan, municipality of Barili.
Graft investigator Euphemia Bacalso found sufficient evidence that respondents were probably guilty of the crime of malversation of public funds in the complaint filed against former barangay captain Marcelo Baldomero Jr. and treasurer Marlyn Atillo, saying they were accountable for the unliquidated cash advances worth P597,944.
In the complaint filed by Charito Carreon et.al., barangay officials of Kalubihan lamented that there was a delay in the release of their honoraria, cash gifts, differentials and other benefits due to lack of funds.
Carreon alleged the funds were withdrawn as cash advance by Baldomero who has been on “indefinite leave and was nowhere to be found.”
Atillo, during the conference, made before the Public Assistance and Corruption Prevention Office (PACPO) of the Office of the Ombudsman, said some of the cash advances were granted without vouchers.
Commission on Audit (COA)-7 Regional Director Delfin Aguilar transmitted the audit report to the Ombudsman on the unliquidated cash advances made by Baldomero and Atillo dated September 7, 2010.
Based on the COA report, Baldomero has outstanding unliquidated cash advances from October 30 to November 27, 2009 in the amount of P597,944.
State Auditor Lydia Ciapano said such outstanding cash advances are a violation of COA Circular No. 97-002 providing that the accountable officer shall liquidate his cash advances within 20 days after the end of the year.
“Baldomero should have liquidated his cash advances not later than January 20, 2010,” Ciapano said.
She added they sent a demand letter to Baldomero requiring liquidation or explanation but the same was returned as he could not be located.
Bacalso sent a subpoena to the respondents and directed them to file their respective affidavits, but both failed.
“Nonetheless, said order sent to respondent Baldomero was returned as he could not be contacted while Atillo failed to comply the same despite lapse of considerable period of time,” she said.
Bacalso said Atillo was included in the case for conspiring with Baldomero by not offering any explanation on the outstanding unliquidated cash advances.
She said because of the failure of respondents to offer controverting evidences, there was enough grounds to hold them for trial. (FREEMAN)