Town councilor faces raps over fake receipts

MANILA, Philippines - The Philippine Councilor’s League has filed an administrative complaint against a municipal councilor of Leyte for allegedly selling fake PCL receipts and certificates of registration. 

The group is asking the Office of the Ombudsman to dismiss from service Sergio Batistis Jr. of Albuera town.

Aside from dismissal, PCL wants Batistis’ retirement benefits forfeited and him disqualified from holding public office.

Batistis was arrested in an entrapment in Davao City on June 11. 

The charges were filed by PCL national president Alma Moreno and executive director Wilson Paclibar with the Office of the Ombudsman-Cebu City on Aug. 10.

In his complaint, Paclibar said he was authorized by the PCL board to file charges of grave misconduct, dishonesty and conduct unbecoming of a public official against Batistis. 

He said the illegal activities of the accused was brought to his attention during a PCL gathering in Camarines Sur in March.

He said a councilor of General Santos told him that he saw Batistis selling fake official receipts and certificates of registration to fellow councilors at discounted prices.

The document, according to the councilor from General Santos, would be used by the councilors to earn profits in liquidating their cash advances.