Dismissed Cebu principal still at her post

CEBU, Philippines - The former principal of the Talisay City Central School in Talisay City is still working despite having been ordered dismissed from service by the Office of the Ombudsman-Visayas after being found guilty of dishonesty and falsification of documents.

“We have not received a copy of the official communication from the regional office. And besides, it is the director that implements the order, igo ra ta mo-serve,” said Department of Education Talisay City Division Superintendent Woodrow Denuyo.

Denuyo also said that Maria Lourdes Ipong, former principal of the TCCS, already came to his office following the release of the Ombudman’s decision.

And he said she was given five days to file a motion for reconsideration of the decision.

After serving for several years in TCCS, in November last year, Ipong was finally transferred to Tangke Elementary School.

For his part, Denuyo said he would not yet conclude if Ipong is guilty of the charges especially that the purported crime happened before he assumed office in Talisay last December 2009.

Amid this incident, he however ordered other principals in his division to be careful when they sign documents especially those that involve money.

It was the officers of the Talisay City Swimming and Life Saving Association, Inc. (TCSLSAI) who filed in the early 2007 the complaint against Ipong, then principal and Physical Education and School Sports Coordinator (PESSCOR) of the said school, for "falsification of public documents, dishonesty, grave misconduct, violation of RA 3019 (Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act), malversation of public funds and all other crimes as may be warranted…"

Officials of TCSLSAI who signed the complaint are spiritual advisers Fr. Tito Soquiño and Fr. Murphy Sarsonas; Rolando Remolino, president; Ulysses Fernandez, treasurer; Alfie Fernandez, Vice President; and Annie Gabasa, secretary.

This complaint stemmed from the money that never got to the swimmers who competed in the Central Visayas Regional Athletic Association (CVIRAA) in 2006 in Tagbilaran City, Bohol.

In their joint affidavit-complaint, the group, who trained and accompanied these swimmers to the venue, alleged that PESSCOR told them that there were no funds for the swimmers, that the parents were "constrained to buy the swimsuit for their children" for that regional competition in April 2006.

However, it was later on learned by the group that Ipong allegedly got a reimbursement for P12,600 for the swimsuits PESSCOR bought for the swimmers.

A December 29, 2006 dated Disbursement Voucher signed by City Accountant Viluzminda Villarante, City Treasurer Emma Macuto, Mayor Socrates Fernandez and Ipong shows that P12,600 was released to the latter "to reimburse payments for swimsuit and swimming trunks."

A check of the same amount and date was issued to Ipong.

In support for the reimbursement, Ipong had submitted an Acknowledge-ment Receipt (AR) purportedly showing that the swimsuits were received by the 13 swimmers. 

Schools Division Superintendent Carmelita Dulangon, in an undated Certification, has certified that "the athletes have received the uniforms."

However, the swimmers alleged that their signatures that appeared in the AR were "purely manufactured," and denied receiving the swimsuits and trunks.

For her part, Ipong said she did not process the documents for reim-bursement as it was the officials and employees of Talisay City, and although she admitted receiving the check, she thought it was for her because she was the payee.

Finding guilty of the charges against her, graft investigator Jane Aguilar said Ipong will forfeit all her benefits and is disqualified for re-employment in government service.  (FREEMAN)