Ex-CH paymaster faces malversation case

CEBU, Philippines — For allegedly misappropriating public funds intended as financial assistance to senior citizens, a former employee of the Cebu City government is facing a criminal case in court.

Marites Tomaquin, formerly designated as one of the disbursing officers of the Department of Social Welfare Services (DSWS) assigned in Barangay Lusaran, was charged with malversation of public funds before the Regional Trial Court.

Prosecutor II Ma. Johanna Desamparado-Calustre recommended the filing of the case after the evaluation of the documents. City Prosecutor Liceria Lofranco-Rabillas approved Calustre’s findings.

“Based on the foregoing, the undersigned finds that there is probable cause that the crime of malversation was committed and respondent is probably guilty thereof,” read the resolution.

Calustre recommended P60,000 bail for Tomaquin’s temporary liberty while the case is pending before the court.

Ethel Porcadilla, employee of the City Treasurer’s Office of the Cebu City government, alleged that Tomaquin has misappropriated about P100,000 in public funds.

Porcadilla and Eirah Faye Castanares, the Division Head of the Cash Disbursement Division, reportedly distributed cash to the respective disbursing officers, including Tomaquin, in October 2016.

Later, they discovered that the plastic bag for Barangay Sinsin lacked P100,000.

With the assistance of the National Bureau of Investigation, a probe was conducted.

Upon review of the closed-circuit television (CCTV) footage, it revealed that Tomaquin allegedly received P297,000 when she was expected to receive only P197,000.

In her counter-affidavit, Tomaquin said she received P197,000 as evidenced by the Acknowledgement Receipt dated October 2, 2016.

Of the P197,000, only P184,000 was released because 13 senior citizens did not show up during the distribution.

Tomaquin alleged she was only forced to admit the wrongdoing, executed a promissory note, and made a partial payment of P2,000 because she was threatened with an imprisonment.

With the foregoing, Calustre found sufficient ground to indict Tomaquin despite her denial.

“It is likewise of no moment that respondent made a partial payment of P2,000 or that the promissory note with irrevocable power of attorney provided for other means of paying the amount. What is clear on its face without need of interpretation is the willful and voluntary acknowledgement of the respondent of the unaccounted amount of P100,000 during the October 2016 cash assistance distribution for senior citizens,” read the resolution. — GAN (FREEMAN)