Ombudsman junks raps vs ex-Cebu vice mayor

MANILA, Philippines — The Office of the Ombudsman in the Visayas has dismissed the complaint filed against a former vice mayor of San Remigio town in Cebu in connection with his unliquidated cash advances.

Graft investigation and prosecution officer Rheia Tibon said there was no probable cause to file charges against Herman Antonio Bascon for violation of Article 218 of the Revised Penal Code or failure to render accounts.

Bascon was accused of failing to liquidate cash advances amounting to P118,831.

In his defense, Bascon said their secretary lost the receipts and documents that he submitted. He also asked the municipal local finance committee to just deduct the amount of his unsettled cash advances from his terminal leave benefits.

“Municipal records showed that respondent’s unliquidated cash advances were deducted from his terminal leave benefits as settlement for the liquidation due,” the ombudsman resolution read.