For ‘irregularities': OWWA-7 director suspended

CEBU, Philippines - The Office of the Ombudsman-Visayas has suspended an official of the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA)-7 from the service for nine months without pay for “several irregularities.”

Graft investigation and prosecution officer Carmelle Baybay-Suson held OWWA director II Wilfreda Misterio guilty for conduct prejudicial to the best interest of the service.

Lawyer Jeffrey Ravelo of the Field Investigation Office of the Office of the Ombudsman alleged their office received a letter complaint from OWWA-7 employee and Misterio’s officemate Romyl Cabillo.

Cabillo alleged Misterio committed several irregularities and of them was when she had the office driver fetch her from her residence to the office and vice-versa on March 7, 2012, May 15, 2012, and March 13, 2013.

Misterio was using a government-issued vehicle even if she was claiming her monthly Representation and Transportation Allowance (RATA), said Cabillo.

And to cover up her personal use of the vehicle, Misterio allegedly put false entries on the driver’s trip tickets, Cabillo further said.

Aside from that, Cabillo alleged Misterio made their office janitress do chores at her house during office hours.

The OWWA-7 official also allowed her family to personally use office resources and supplies; falsified a meal reimbursement dated September 28, 2012; and claimed reimbursement for personal expenses that were made to appear as office supplies, Cabillo further alleged.

Ravelo gathered evidence to support the allegation of the complainant.

In her counter-affidavit, Misterio denied the allegation on the janitress and the alleged personal use of office resources and supplies.

On the unauthorized use of the government vehicle, Misterio said since there was no vehicle specifically assigned to her, there were times when she used the office vehicle for official purpose and did not claim her transportation allowance for a particular travel.

Further, she admitted committing an honest mistake when she included Espejo in the September 28, 2012 meal reimbursement. She claimed it was a mere negligence on her part.  The Office of the Ombudsman, however, found sufficient grounds to hold Misterio liable for administrative case.

“In this case, the office finds that the following unwarranted acts of respondent tarnished the image and integrity of her public office,” Suson ruled.

Suson said evidence like the statements of the witnesses were evident that the OWWA-7 official committed the offense charged.

The Office of the Ombudsman directed the OWWA administrator to implement the decision dated November 2, 2015.  (FREEMAN)