Lapu barangay officials cleared of malversation

CEBU, Philippines - The Office of the Ombudsman-Visayas dismissed the complaint filed against barangay officials of Pusok, Lapu-Lapu City, for lack of probable cause.

Graft investigator Jane Aguilar cleared barangay captain Tranquilino Omolon Jr., treasurer Lido Deduya and, councilman Alberto Booc Jr. for malversation of public funds through falsification of public documents.

In the complaint filed by Barangay records keeper Marianne Malong and barangay utility worker Roselyn Bensi they alleged the respondents falsified documents to make it appear that nine persons worked in the barangay when in fact they did not.

“In the month of March and April 2010, the respondents caused the inclusion of some persons in the payroll for the payment of nine persons, which said persons did not work for the Barangay but had received their respective salaries,” they said.

To support the allegations of the complainants they submitted the payroll covering the period from May 1 to 31, 2010 of nine persons namely; Rodil Estose, Gabriel Maturan, Lorille Abella, Mark Caesar Omolon, Bryan Matampac, Karmi Jane Sildura, Beverly Pawaon, Nestor Villamor and Lorellia Antero.

The respondents argued that the nine persons were actually hired by the barangay and earned their respective salaries. They added some were hired as regular employees of the barangay.

Estose allegedly worked as a garbage truck driver, while Maturan, Abella, Matampac, Pawaon, Villaflor and Antero were assigned in the Physical Fitness Program. Omolon was the barangay sports coordinator and Sildura worked as an office clerk.

Respondents said the complainants were terminated sometime in July 2010 for alleged involvement in “forgeries and misrepresentations.”

During the clarificatory hearing called by the Office of the Ombudsman on January 5, 2012 only the respondents appeared in the hearing. The respondents then defended the workers for their failure to attend saying they might not have received their respective notices.

The Ombudsman moved the said clarificatory hearing and directed respondents to bring the workers.

On January 10, 2012, respondents and their counsel together with five out of nine workers appeared before the Office of the Ombudsman.

During the examination of the five workers they affirmed that they were hired by the barangay and received their salaries as reflected in the payroll.

The respondents likewise submitted a joint supplemental counter-affidavit and attached a list of the various projects they worked on in serving the barangay.

In her ruling, Aguilar found no probable cause against respondents.

She said she called for a clarificatory hearing but the complainants failed to attend.  (FREEMAN)