NBI files graft charges vs Singson, 4 other Ilocos Sur execs

The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) filed another set of graft charges against Ilocos Sur Gov. Luis "Chavit" Singson yesterday, this time involving his alleged P120-million unliquidated cash advances from his province.

Acting NBI Director Carlos Caabay led the filing of the charges with the Department of Justice (DOJ) after the NBI found Singson criminally liable for plunder, graft and malversation of public funds.

The NBI charge sheet included four other Ilocos Sur officials, namely Vice Gov. Deogracias Victor Savellano, provincial accountant Carolyn Pilar, treasurer Antonio Gundran and budget officer Erlita Arce.

Carlos Saunar, head of the NBI’s anti-graft division, said they found Singson and the other officials to have allegedly taken funds from Ilocos Sur’s share of tobacco excise taxes without any accounting.

He said Singson allegedly refused to liquidate the funds he took despite demands made by the provincial auditor.

"This is a clear violation of the Commission on Audit’s Circular 92-382," said Saunar. He explained that the circular mandates that cash advances not used for two months must be returned or deposited immediately with the province’s collecting officer.

Saunar added that failure to account for cash advances "raises the legal presumption and probable cause that the officials squandered the money."

The NBI’s charges included Singson’s two alleged unliquidated cash advances, first for P100 million for "various projects" and the second for P20 million for equipment for a tobacco drying plant. All the money allegedly came from the province’s share of tobacco excise taxes.

The NBI has asked the DOJ to charge Singson and his fellow officials administratively and that they be barred from leaving the country.

Singson’s lawyers, however, see the NBI’s action as mere harassment of the governor who is the main witness in the impeachment trial of President Estrada.

It would be recalled that Singson accused the President of receiving millions of pesos in payoffs from the illegal numbers game jueteng.

The governor’s lawyers added that the DOJ should stay away from the case since the agency is considered under the President’s control, being part of the government’s executive branch.

"Considering that the DOJ belongs to the executive branch... the respondents have expressed no confidence that this panel of prosecutors can handle the investigation with impartiality," they said.