DepEd files plunder case vs former education chief, other officials

The Department of Education (DepEd) filed plunder and conspiracy charges against former officials of the Fund Assistance for Private Education (FAPE) agency, including former education secretary Ricardo Gloria, for allegedly pocketing funds intended for the students’ welfare.

DepEd assistant secretary for legal affairs Camilo Montessa said the filing of corruption cases against former FAPE officials would send strong signals that the education department is serious in going after corrupt education officials.

"When one robs the limited resources allocated for education, one robs millions of Filipinos of their future," Montessa said in a statement.

The DepEd with the Office of the Ombudsman recently launched Sama-samang Pagkilos sa Katiwalian (Sapak) project which aims to prosecute officials found guilty of stealing funds from the government.

Montessa said the FAPE officials allegedly committed the alleged plunder between 1994 to 1998.

Montessa said Mr. Gloria sat as FAPE governing board chairman at that time.

Aside from Gloria, former FAPE president Adrian Arcelo and his wife, Dr. Marilou Arcelo were also charged with graft, plunder and conspiracy.

Montessa said that an ad hoc committee created in 1999 reported that FAPE suffered serious financial setbacks due to questionable financial dealings entered into by Arcelo and his wife.

Montessa said the Arcelo couple authorized the release of P56 million through an alleged dummy, the John B. Lacson Colleges Foundation (JBLCF), a school based in Iloilo City. The funds, which were meant for some schools and students, allegedly went to the Arcelos’ own pockets, he said.

The FAPE was created during the administration of then President Ferdinand Marcos as a trustee of the Philippine government to manage the trust funds donated by the United States, through grants, for the Philippines. The funds were used to finance the schooling of deserving public elementary and high school students in private schools and decongest public schools.

Aside from Gloria and the Arcelos, the DepEd also filed charges against Roberto Borromeo, FAPE vice president; Jose Baltazar, FAPE trustee; Rosanne Duavit and Cipriano Garcia, FAPE investment directors; and Corazon Nera, FAPE programs director.