Ex-BFAR exec cleared of graft

MANILA, Philippines — A former regional director of the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources has been cleared in a criminal case involving the alleged malversation of proceeds from the sale of fuel intended for BFAR’s patrol boats.

The Sandiganbayan said the Office of the Ombudsman failed to prove that former BFAR-Davao region director George Campeon committed malversation of public funds as provided under the Revised Penal Code.

“The accused was able to sufficiently explain the whereabouts of the P59,800 in proceeds of the sale of the 2,000 liters of diesel fuel,” the anti-graft court’s Sixth Division said in a 27-page decision promulgated on Friday.

The ombudsman, which filed the case in 2008, alleged that Campeon failed to account for the missing fund.

State prosecutors said the accused used the amount for his personal benefit.

The Sandiganbayan said it was confirmed during trial that a part of amount was given in the form of cash advances to five crewmembers of the BFAR-Davao’s MCS patrol boat, who were slated for an official travel.

The remaining amount and the replenished cash advances were later deposited in the BFAR’s treasury.

The court said Campeon was able to support his claim with necessary documents such as deposit slips, official receipts, sales invoices and delivery receipts.

It said that while the prosecution argued that Campeon had no authority to sell the excess fuel provided by the BFAR central office, such act or offense was not included in the information sheet.

The court said it based its ruling on data submitted to them.

The ruling was penned by Associate Justice Karl Miranda and concurred in by Associate Justices Sarah Jane Fernandez and Michael Frederick Musngi.