DENR exec denies fund misuse charges

MANILA, Philippines - An official of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) has denied allegations that he misused or failed to account for P874,000 in public funds in 2005.

DENR Director III Juan Raña said on Monday that every centavo was accounted for, as he expressed surprise over a ruling issued by the Office of the Ombudsman indicting him of the charges.

“The case revolves around my alleged failure and refusal to render liquidation of cash advances. I did not refuse,” Raña said in a letter to The STAR.

He said the situation made it impossible for him to comply with the liquidation order due to the resignation of his boss, retired general Victor Corpus, as reforestation chief and chairman of the Natural Resources and Development Corp.

Raña said no records were turned over to him as disbursing officer and cash advances totaling P874,000 had yet to be liquidated at that time.

“There is no question that the amount advanced were really spent for the purpose for which they were made,” he said adding he tried to get in touch with Corpus and he only succeeded in 2010.

He said Corpus executed an affidavit stating that the money was spent properly.

Raña said a similar case filed against him had been dismissed by the Civil Service Commission.

Earlier this month, the anti-graft agency announced that it has ordered the filing of criminal charges against Raña for violating the Revised Penal Code.

The ombudsman said Raña received P400,000 in cash advances for travel allowance to China and incurred expenses for the Diwalwal takeover and recovery of illegally-cut logs in January. It said the official failed to liquidate the amount despite orders from the Commission on Audit.