Brgy treasurer charged for malversation of funds

CEBU, Philippines - The Office of the Ombudsman-Visayas indicted a barangay treasurer of Captain Claudio in Toledo City for malversation of public funds.

Graft investigation and prosecution officer 1 Katherine Arnoco Geñovesa-Mahawan said Marlyn Gonzales failed to return P2,730,868.72 of government funds despite the demand to do so.

“Wherefore, finding sufficient ground to engender a well-founded belief that respondent Gonzales is probably guilty of malversation of public funds through falsification of a public document, all of the Revised Penal Code, let the corresponding Information be filed with the proper court,” the resolution reads.

Alexander Alqueza, who filed the complaint against Gonzales, noted that she was appointed barangay treasurer in December 1, 2007.

Alqueza said the barangay funds were deposited at the Land Bank of the Philippines and Development Bank of the Philippines.

The barangay funds, he added, could only be withdrawn through an ordinance or resolution from the Sangguniang Barangay (SB).

However, he said Gonzales encashed various checks without the knowledge of the SB and allegedly forged the signature of their barangay captain.

In order to avoid suspicion, Alqueza said Gonzales provided Financial Statements which showed that the barangay funds available amounted to more than P2 million.

Sometime in October 2013, when Gonzales was about to withdraw barangay funds, she was allegedly prevented by the bank due to the barangay’s failure to submit certain requirement. The Toledo City Accounting Office verified the matter.

“…that upon verification with the Toledo City Accounting Office, it was discovered that there was a very huge difference between the actual and correct cash balances and the one provided by respondent that she failed to clear disbursements made in 2012 and 2013 for there were no corresponding vouchers on the checks issued,” Alqueza stated.

Gonzales reportedly failed to return the missing funds despite demands and has stopped reporting to the barangay.

Mahawan summoned Gonzales to file her counter-affidavit and other controverting evidence but the latter failed.

Thus, Mahawan resolved the complaint based on the evidence at hand and recommended the filing of case before the court. — Mylen P. Manto/ATO (FREEMAN)