Execs of 2 state universities face graft raps

MANILA, Philippines - The Office of the Ombudsman yesterday ordered the filing of graft cases against six officials of two state universities for allegedly misusing public funds.

Sultan Kudarat State University vice president for finance Rex Dapitan will be indicted for malversation for allegedly causing the disbursement of P50,625 under the pretense of attending the “Lakbay Aral” program. 

Records show that Dapitan and other school officials used the cash advance for their expenses when they attended the wedding of their co-employees in Carrascal, Surigao del Sur in October 2010.   

Meanwhile, Tawi-Tawi Regional Agricultural College president Moh Asady Mandangan Hussin, Assistant Professor 4 Berma Salih Omarali, Instructor 1 Mernalyn Abbas Isa and Associate Professor 3 Sahajim Hamis Hassan were ordered charged in connection with the alleged anomalous issuance of checks amounting to P8,623,930 for their personal use. 

Investigation showed that the officials failed to present documents to justify 21 check issuances, including purchase orders, purchase requests, disbursement vouchers, delivery receipts, inspection and contracts, for the purported acquisition of office equipment, supplies and construction projects.

Ombudsman Conchita Carpio-Morales noted that under Article 217 of the Revised Penal Code, malversation is committed when any public officer misappropriates, takes or permits any other person to take public funds or property.