Ex-barangay officials face malversation raps

CEBU, Philippines - Three former officials of Barangay Camp 4, Talisay City are facing charges before the Regional Trial Court (RTC) for malversation of public funds through falsification of public documents.

The Office of the Ombudsman - Visayas elevated the complaint to court after it found probable cause to indict former Barangay Captain Marcial Bregondo, former Treasurer Elizabeth Nacua and former Councilman Jaime Gomez.

Bregondo is facing seven counts of the charges, Nacua is facing four counts and Gomez is facing three. Graft investigator Edsel Ensomo recommended a bail of P30,000 for each count.

The complainant in the case, Premir Nacua, alleged that the respondents had made it appear on the payroll that six persons received payment in line with the barangay’s Solid Waste Project worth P14,400. This is reportedly false.

Nacua alleged further that the respondents also made it appear that other people received payment for six other projects in the barangay, including the clean and green project, maintenance for the cleanliness of basketball court and drainage, beautification initiative for a feast, and maintenance of a pathway.

Nacua said these people never worked on the projects, much more received any payment. The people concerned also corroborated Nacua’s statement.

Bregondo denied the allegations in his counter-affidavit.

“The projects are regular as it sustained by State Auditor IV Elsa Eguia and that he signed the documents all in good faith because the supporting documents appeared regular and in order,” Bregondo said.

He said he signed the payrolls under the general presumption of regularity of the official act of the Barangay Treasurer who supervises the Timekeeper and the Foreman in-charge of the projects.

Gomez, for his part, denied the allegations claiming he was unfairly included as one of the respondents in an unfamiliar transaction. Nacua failed to file her counter-affidavit.

Still, Edsomo said the evidence presented is enough to elevate the case in court. — (FREEMAN)