Padaca, 3 others face malversation raps

ILAGAN, Isabela ,Philippines  – The Office of the Ombudsman has sought the filing of technical malversation charges against former governor Grace Padaca and three others for alleged illegal disbursement of P25 million in public funds to a private group in 2006.

Besides Padaca, the Ombudsman also recommended the filing of charges against Roxas town Vice Mayor Servando Soriano, former provincial legal officer Johnas Lamorena, and Dionisio Pine, manager of the Economic Development for Western Isabela and Northern Luzon Foundation Inc., the recipient of the questioned funds.

In a resolution dated Jan. 11, Deputy Ombudsman Orlando Casimiro, however, cleared provincial treasurer Maria Theresa Flores and former provincial treasurer William Nicolas, saying their participation in the fund disbursement was only ministerial.

Padaca, who lost to now Gov. Faustino Dy III in last year’s elections, derailing what could had been her third and final gubernatorial term, could not be reached for comment. She was reported to have extended her trip in the United States.

However, one of Padaca’s closest political allies, former vice governor Ramon Reyes, said he sees no reason for her to be indicted or charged for the fund disbursement.

“I don’t think there were irregularities in the transaction since the money was covered by receipts and can all be accounted for. (The disbursement) was also covered by a provincial board resolution at the time,” Reyes said.