Filscap executives tagged in P8.5-million missing funds

MANILA, Philippines - Singer-composer Heber Bartolome yesterday brought to the attention of the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) Special Task Force the alleged anomalous disbursements of funds of the Filipino Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers Inc. (Filscap), a collecting agency of members of the music industry.

Filscap is mainly concerned with the collection of royalties for public performance rights of its members and members of other foreign affiliated organizations such as the American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers, Broadcast Music Incorporated, Composers and Authors Society of Hong Kong, and 50 similar organizations worldwide.

Bartolome, who claimed to be a member of the board of trustees and vice president of the organization, said in his letter to NBI Director Nestor Mantaring that Filscap’s general financial audit of the accounts from Jan. 1 to Dec. 31, 2005 and its subsequent “probative and fraud audits” for transactions prior and subsequent to 2005 showed questionable disbursements of more than P8.5 million without authority from the board of trustees.

He said P5.4 million in royalty payments were made from 1997 to 2004 to former Filscap general manager Marie Jane Suarez.

Another P3.1 million in checks addressed to Suarez, “Luz Suarez” or “cash” were also disbursed for royalty payments in 2005, Bartolome said, adding that Filscap messenger Policarpio Ilagan allegedly encashed them.

Bartolome also questioned the alleged continuous refusal by board chairman Nonoy Tan to investigate these disbursements. He described Tan’s act as “highly suspicious as to motive, purpose and design.”

He said Tan even allegedly threatened to suspend or expel any officer or member who persists in having the matter investigated, claiming that this would be “inimical and prejudicial to the image of Filscap.”

Bartolome said he was suspended and threatened with expulsion from Filscap when he continued to demand an investigation.

He asked the NBI to require Tan, Filscap president Ramon del Rosario, general manager Debra Ann Gaite, and Suarez to shed light on the matter.

The NBI said it will conduct an investigation and would also recommend the filing of criminal charges if evidence is found.