Baquerfo sues Granada before the Ombudsman

CEBU - As he prepares to take over the Tudela Municipal Hall, Mayor Rogelio Baquerfo yesterday filed a criminal complaint for malversation of public funds against political rival Demetrio Granada and other town officials before the Ombudsman over alleged anomalous transactions.

Baquerfo, assisted by his lawyer Noel Archival, filed the complaint before Office of the Ombudsman-Visayas against Granada, Vice Mayor Clint Maratas and 28 other town officials, including municipal councilors, barangay captains and department heads.

The complaint was anchored on the annual Commission on Audit report that the town has spent P5.5 million in irregular transactions.

Aside from Granada and Maratas, the other respondents include councilors Meldred Otadoy, Dioscoro Uy, Oscar Solante, Erwin Yu, Antero Portarcos, Tomas Orge, Francisco Orge and Greman Solante, council secretary Sostenes Estrera, municipal accountant Marilynn del Socorro, budget officer Felicilda Sano, OIC treasurer Restituto Arguedo, municipal agricultural officer Victorina Nocellas, local civil registrar Aracelo Tudtud, municipal engineer Pedro Cesniros, health officer Jose Bardelas, development officer Emmerito Labajo, disbursing officer Flordelito Serato, Isabelita Polangcos, Noel Labayan, barangay captains Lorenzo Solante, Fernando Solano, Noel Sano, Pedrito Rosal, Prescilo Lativo, Eladio Portarcos and Fermin Sultan.

Baquerfo accused them of allegedly having an “unholy alliances” in “defrauding” the municipal government.

Baquerfo cited the September 6, 2008 report of The FREEMAN quoting the COA findings that said at least 11 projects of the town amounting to P1.3 million defied the Department of Interior and Local Government and the Department of Budget and Management rules.

There were also the P826,554 worth of purchased materials that did not have supporting documents, the inventory of accounts amounting to P1.5 that was not supported with physical count, and purchases made by the Association of Barangay Councils that were only supported with documents that are undated and unsigned.

Baquerfo is asking the Ombudsman to place the respondents under preventive suspension.— Fred P. Languido/LPM (The Freeman)