Ex-brgy officials guilty of dishonesty

CEBU, Philippines - The Office of the Ombudsman has found two former officials of Barangay Kalubihan in the western town of Barili guilty of dishonesty for failing to liquidate cash advances.

Graft investigator Euphemia Bacalso dismissed the two from service, but the penalty is practically moot and academic considering that the respondents, former barangay captain Marcelo Baldomero Jr. and treasurer Marlyn Atillo, are no longer in service.

“Respondents are hereby meted the penalty of dismissal from the service with all the accessory penalties attached thereto,” Bacalso’s decision reads.

Bacalso resolved the case based on the evidence presented by the complainants after Baldomero and Atillo did not submit their respective counter-affidavits to refute the allegations.

“Pursuant to Section 2 (e), Rule II, Administrative Order No. 07 known as Rules of Procedure of the Office of the Ombudsman, this case is deemed submitted for resolution on the basis of the evidence on the record,” Bacalso said. The complaints, the councilmen in the barangay, first filed the complaint for grave misconduct/dishonesty with the Public Assistance and Corruption Prevention Office (PACPO) of the Office of the Ombudsman.

The complainants alleged that the two former officials did not release their honoraria, cash gifts and other benefits on time allegedly because of lack of funds. The funds intended for the same were allegedly drawn as cash advance by Baldomero who was on indefinite leave and was nowhere to be found.

The narrative report of State Auditor III Lydia Ciapano dated August 7, 2010 showed that as of December 31, 2009, Baldomero had an outstanding unliquidated cash advance amounting to P597,944 covering the period from October 30, 2006 to November 27, 2009.

The cash advance violated Section 5.1.2. of Commission on Audit Circular No. 97-002, which provides that the accountable officer shall liquidate his cash advances within 20 days after the end of the year.

Ciapano said she sent a demand letter to Baldomero but the same was returned to her as he could not be located.

During the conference conducted by PACPO, it was found out that Atillo granted the cash advances of Baldomero even without corresponding disbursement vouchers.

“What appears in this case is that both respondents appear to be united in their action and purpose in issuing the checks for the questioned cash advances. Respondent Atillo likewise failed to tender any explication for the said irregular issuances,” Bacalso’s decision reads.  (FREEMAN)