More raps filed vs 2 BuCor execs over P6.5-M fund scam

MANILA, Philippines - Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) Director Gaudencio Pangilinan and his assistant are facing technical malversation charges before the Office of the Ombudsman for alleged misuse of more than P6.5 million in government money.

Pangilinan and BuCor Assistant Director Teodora Diaz have been accused of violating Republic Act 10174 or the General Appropriations Act of 2011 for spending the trust fund of the National Bilibid Prison (NBP) for the purchase of mountain bikes, air-conditioning units and cable television.

Prison guard Kabungsuan Makilala, who earlier filed a graft case against Pangilinan and four other BuCor officials, exposed the anomalies at the bureau. He said the respondents should be held liable for grave misconduct, serious dishonesty, and conduct prejudicial to the best interest of the service.

In his technical malversation complaint consolidated with the graft charge which was received by the Office of the Ombudsman on Aug. 9, Makilala alleged that the BuCor chief and Diaz have been misusing the NBP’s fund.

Under the law, Makilala said the NBP’s trust fund should be spent “for the allowance of prisoners confined in the national penitentiary, additional supplies and materials, farm tools and equipment for the repair, construction, operation and maintenance of agricultural or industrial projects and prison facilities.”

However, Makilala said purchase orders showed that the BuCor officials spent P115,000 for tents for the NBP superintendent’s office; an air-conditioning unit worth P62,700 for the resident ombudsman’s office; six Apple iMac computers amounting to P346,133; and more air-conditioning units for the director’s office worth P166,900.

The trust fund was also allegedly used for the purchase of four patrol vehicles amounting to P320,000; 12 mountain bikes for P300,000; and cable televisions for the NBP maximum security compound worth P421,047.

Makilala added that a huge amount of money was used for the repair of the administration building, purchase of 50 theater seats, wooden armrests, tablets and folding seats.

The whistle-blower is currently under the Witness Protection Program of the Department of Justice.