Ex-brgy chief indicted for malversation

CEBU, Philippines - The Office of the Ombudsman Visayas indicted the former government officials of Santander town for malversation of public funds.

The anti-graft office recommended the filing of the information of malversation through falsification of public documents to the court against Brigido Juguelon, former barangay captain of Bunlan, Santander and Serapion Buscato, head of the Municipal Planning and Development Council.

Graft investigator Charina Quijano has found probable cause to indict them of the charge. Quijano likewise recommended the filing of information of malversation through negligence against Jane Vasaya, municipal treasurer.

The graft investigator however did not found any evidence to charge former Santander Mayor James Arnold Abines, former municipal accountant Elicia Luzano, together with Saturnino Juguelon and Ericson Teves for malversation.

The complainants are Pilar Rotaquio, Pasencia Pascual, Jonathan Rotaquio, Santiago Mairal, Lourdes Base, Fortunato Vasay, Eriberto Culanag, Narcisa Culana and Margie Miral, all laborers, who worked for the maintenance of the barangay road of Bunlan, Santander for the period of February 16 to 28, 1999.

The complainant said in the payroll, it appears they had received the amount of P900 each as payment for services.

However, they claimed they did not work on the said project, nor received any amount of money in connection with barangay road.

The complainants also said the signatures affixed in the payroll showing they had received the money were not their signatures.

In their complaint-affidavit, the complainants attached the time book and payroll and the list of persons hired as laborers for the road maintenance project which was signed by former barangay captain Juguelon who allegedly hired the laborers and approved by Abines.

But, in their individual versions, Teves and Saturnino Juguelon admit having signed the time book and payroll upon request by Buscato and barangay captain Juguelon.

Abines for his part denied the allegations against him, claiming he had many duties and responsibilities and as such had to rely on the signature of his subordinate officers and assumed they had already reviewed the papers before it was submitted for approval.

Abines added it was only barangay captain Juguelon who hired the people.

Luzano admitted signing the disbursement but claimed it has not nothing to do with the hiring and supervision of laborers employed in the project.

Barangay captain Juguelon however strongly denied the accusations against him claiming it was Abines who made him sign a list of persons who will be working in the maintenance of barangay road projects.

But the graft investigator said there was a probable cause to indict Juguelon and Bucasto after the money intended to be given as salaries to the laborers was recovered from their possession.

“There is reason to believe that said respondents appropriated the funds by making it appear that these were received by the herein complainants,” the Ombudsman resolution reads. —/WAB (FREEMAN)