NFA collections officer sacked for embezzlement

MANILA, Philippines - The Office of the Ombudsman has ordered a special collecting officer of the National Food Authority (BFA) after finding him guilty of not remitting at least P.2 million he collected from rolling stores in his area of jurisdiction.  

In a nine-page ruling, the anti-graft agency said Lauro Rebano committed grave misconduct, dishonesty and conduct prejudicial to the best interest of the service.

The Office of the Ombudsman also ordered the cancellation of his civil service eligibility, the forfeiture of his retirement benefits and his perpetual disqualification from holding public office.

Records show that NFA manager Teofilo Tizon named Rebano to his post on Jan. 28, 2000. Rebano’s job was to collect fees from rolling stores covered by depressed areas of the South District Office.

In an audit, the Commission on Audit (COA) found out that he was P266,185 short. Rebano was ordered to produce the missing funds and the corresponding official receipts within 72 hours.

However, the NFA officer failed to comply with the directive and was eventually criminally charged with malversation of public funds.

The Office of the Ombudsman said it is clear that in failing to account for the cash shortage, Rebano betrayed public trust reposed in him.