Baquerfo, found guilty of malversation

CEBU, Philippines - While Rogelio Baquerfo Jr. is struggling to occupy the mayoralty post in Tudela town, he is facing another dilemma after having been convicted by the Sandiganbayan Fourth Division of malversation of public funds.

Baquerfo and municipal treasurer Angelita Roble were held accountable for the P250,000 financial assistance from the Presidential Social Fund on November 16, 2002 for the implementation of socio-civic projects in the municipality.

 A P40,000 bail each was recommended for the temporary liberty of Baquerfo and Roble.

“I certify that I am filing this information after a preliminary investigation of the case has been conducted in accordance with law by the Office of the Ombudsman which found sufficient ground to engender a well-founded belief that the crime of malversation of public funds was committed and the accused is probably guilty,” Jane Aguilar, graft investigator and prosecution officer II, said in her certification.

Aguilar’s finding was approved by Ombudsman Merceditas Gutierrez dated September 30, 2008.

However, the said copy was yet implemented.

The case was filed by Demetrio Granada, in 2002, who was then mayor at that time after he took over Baquerfo, having conducted and found out that the P250,000 financial assistance of the PSF was allegedly not recorded in the books of the municipality.

Tudela town reportedly received P250,000 in November 2002 for “socio-civic projects” from the same fund source.

The assistance was intended for the small-and-medium enterprises under the “Isang Bayan, Isang Produkto, Isang Milyong Pisong Programa ni Pangulong Arroyo.”

The amount was never recorded in the books because “it was never received” by the municipal government.

COA, in its report, cited a letter from the head of the Office of the President’s special projects office, making a follow-up about the money.

“The former mayor Rogelio Baquerfo should be made to account for the P250,000,” the COA report read.

Baquerfo and Roble were even asked by the COA to explain where the amount went. But Baquerfo did not bother to refute the charges despite the receipt order to do so, while Roble merely asserted that the present complaint is already moot and academic and also did not bother explain as to where the funds went and how it was spent. — Garry B. Lao/MEEV   (THE FREEMAN)