Brgy captain dismissed over dishonesty raps

CEBU, Philippines -  For falsifying public documents, the Office of the Ombudsman-Visayas has dismissed from service the barangay captain of Ilihan, Tabogon town, Cebu, after he was found guilty of an administrative case.

Graft investigator Maria Corazon Naraja found Jesus Perez Jr., guilty of serious dishonesty.

“The respondent eroded the public trust which renders grossly unworthy to continue in his public office,” the decision reads.

Earlier, the Office of the Ombudsman-Visayas indicted Perez for malversation of public funds and two counts of falsification of public documents. Naraja recommended the filing of the case before the court against Perez after finding probable cause.

The complaint was filed by former treasurer of Ilihan, Marichu Bonghanoy. She alleged that the respondent withdrew P45,000 from public funds.

Bonghanoy, who was appointed as treasurer sometime in December 2010, said she was instructed by the respondent to turn over the passbook to him containing P50,061.86 allocated for the purchase of recyclable materials under the Capitol-funded Disposal of Garbage Waste Enforcement for Nature project.

She said since she was then a neophyte in the job she had no knowledge as to the proper accounting and disbursing of public funds.  She said she only learned after attending a seminar that signing a blank withdrawal slip was a mistake.

She added she asked the respondent if he withdrew the money because she need to account for it, but Bonghanoy allegedly assured her that he would take care of the accounting of the funds.

Bonghanoy also said she was instructed by the respondent to disburse P5,000 from the barangay’s coffers for social, cultural and sports activities representing two resolutions issued by the barangay council for the disbursement.

Upon verification, the barangay council denied passing and approving the two resolutions. Barangay secretary Celestino Guliman likewise denied affixing his signature on the resolutions.

Bonghanoy added when she inquired with the bank she discovered that Perez withdrew P45,000 on December 23, 2010.

In his counter-affidavit, the respondent admitted withdrawing P45,000 but denied processing it.  He however, claimed it was Bonghanoy who processed the documents necessary for the release and his only participation was signing the papers.

Naraja ruled with the foregoing arguments he found respondent guilty of serious dishonesty.

“Respondent’s conduct bespeaks a dishonest and capricious character that has no place in the bureaucracy,” the decision read.   (FREEMAN)