OWWA-7 director faces graft raps

CEBU, Philippines – An official of the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration-7 recently ordered suspended by the Office of the Ombudsman over ‘irregularities’ in work is now facing anti-graft charges in court.

Graft investigation and prosecution officer Carmelle Baybay-Suson found probable cause and held OWWA-7 director II Wilfreda Misterio for trial for violation of Section 3(e) of Republic Act 3019, otherwise known as the Anti-graft and Corrupt Practices Act.

“In view of the foregoing, the Office finds probable cause to indict respondent for violation of Section 3 (e) of RA 3019 for using OWWA vehicle in fetching her from her house to office on March 7, 2012, March 13, 2013, and May 15, 2012, for letting the office janitress do household chores in her house during office hours on March 13, 2013, and for pulling out office supplies during weekends for her personal use,” read the resolution.

Suson recommended P30,000 bail for Misterio’s temporary liberty.

Misterio’s case stemmed from a complaint filed by lawyer Jeffrey Ravelo of the Field Investigation Office of the Office of the Ombudsman.

Ravelo alleged their office received a letter complaint from Misterio’s co-worker Romyl Cabillo.

Cabillo alleged Misterio committed several irregularities and one of them was when she had the office driver fetch her from her residence to the office and vice-versa on March 7, 2012, May 15, 2012, and March 13, 2013.

Misterio was using a government-issued vehicle even if she was claiming her monthly Representation and Transportation Allowance (RATA), said Cabillo.

And to cover up her personal use of the vehicle, Misterio allegedly put false entries on the driver’s trip tickets, Cabillo further said.

Aside from that, Cabillo alleged Misterio made their office janitress do chores at her house during office hours.

The OWWA-7 official also allowed her family to personally use office resources and supplies; falsified a meal reimbursement dated September 28, 2012; and claimed reimbursement for personal expenses that were made to appear as office supplies, Cabillo further alleged.

With these “several irregularities,” the Office of the Ombudsman, in a decision dated November 2, found Misterio guilty for conduct prejudicial to the best interest of the service and suspended her for nine months without pay.

The allegations had all been denied by the OWWA-7 official in her counter-affidavit.

But Suson ruled in favor of the complainant, stating there was sufficient evidence that would warrant the filing of the case before the court against the OWWA official. — Mylen P. Manto/NSA (FREEMAN)