DepEd official faces graft for failing to remit GSIS premiums

MANILA, Philippines - A Department of Education (DepEd) official is now facing graft charges for failing to timely remit the Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) premiums of teachers and employees from the department's regional office in the Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao (ARMM).

Ombudsman Conchita Carpio-Morales affirmed the filing of graft and 15 counts of violation ofthe GSIS Act of 1997 against Leovigilda Cinches, former acting regional secretary of DepEd-ARMM.

Records show that from October 2001 to November 2004, the DepEd-ARMM failed to remit the GSIS contributions amounting to P232.9 million resulting to the suspension of the employees' loan privileges and other benefits.

The joint resolution said that Cinches' positions as officer-in-charge regional secretary and Director II for Administrative, Finance and Other Support Services "are mandated to ensure that the monthly GSIS premiums were collected and remitted to the GSIS within 30 days from the time each monthly contributions fell due."

Aside from the criminal indictments, the Ombudsman also found Cinches guilty of grave misconduct, dismissing her from government service with her benefits forfeited.

The complaints against Accountant III Pangalian Maniri, Budget Officer III Mosbicak Ibrahim and cashier Norensa Arimao, all of DepEd-ARMM were dismissed for lack of evidence.

The Ombudsman also dismissed for lack of merit complaints against former GSIS president and general manager Winston Garcia,  Board of Trustees members Leonora de Jesus, Elmer Bautista, Florino Ibanez, Reynaldo Palmiery, Fulgencio Factoran Jr., and Aida Nocete.