Ombudsman clears two ex-vice mayors, employee of Sogod from criminal raps

CEBU, Philippines - The Office of the Ombudsman for the Visayas has dismissed the criminal cases against two former vice mayors and a utility worker of the municipality of Sogod, Cebu.

The Field Investigation Office of the Office of the Ombudsman (Visayas) filed the cases against former vice mayors Dean Severo Dosado and Nicasio Bacayo, and Ziya Dosado for alleged unliquidated cash advances since 2008.

The case stemmed from a letter of Dominico Moneva alleging that Dean has unsettled cash advances of P81,328.76; Zita has P20,804.50 and Bacayo has P29,941.59.

This was based on the summary of cash advances and liquidation/refund submitted by acting municipal accountant Erlita Montecalvo.

Bacayo, in his counter-affidavit, argued that the cash advance in the amount of P11,119 for an official travel in 2011 was cancelled due to bad weather. He also presented documentary exhibits to prove that the cash advance was already liquidated.

Dean and Zita did not file their counter-affidavits.

Graft Investigation and Prosecution Officer I Rheia Tibon found out that disbursement voucher dated September 13, 2011 bears the amount of P11,119, however, its corresponding check dated April 25, 2011 was in the amount of P134,000.

Disbursement voucher dated February 23, 2012 also bears the amount of P26,214.50 while its corresponding check dated December 29, 2006 was P7,466.28.

“Again, these unrelated pieces of evidence do not make up competent proof to make respondent Bacayo liable, as well,” said Tibon.

General clearance dated November 4, 2015 issued in favor of respondent Bacayo shows that he has been cleared from money accountabilities.

As regards to Dean and Zita, Tibon said the charge against them has already prescribed.  Records show that Dean made his advances within the period covering from 1998 to 2002 while Zita made it in 2000.

“Thus more than four years had lapsed when Moneva requested the Office for investigation on October 23, 2012 and correspondingly when the criminal case was filed on 10 September 2015,” Tibon said. (FREEMAN)