The Office of the Ombudsman has found probable cause against mayor Dale Corvera of Cabadbaran, Agusan Del Norte, for Malversation and violation of Section 3(e) of Republic Act No. 3019.
In the Resolution approved by Ombudsman Conchita Carpio Morales, Corvera was found to have charged personal travel expenditures worth P362,154.85 against the city’s public funds from May 2011 to June 2014. These personal travel expenses included detour trips to Cebu City to visit his children, including the personal hotel accommodations and meals of his wife.
As defense, Corvera said that the travels were made “in connection with his attendance to the activities of the Boy Scouts of the Philippines (BSP).”
In debunking his explanation, the Ombudsman ruled that “the public character of BSP cannot serve as valid justification for charging against public funds expenses incurred for attending its activities.”
“All documents are clear enough to show that expenses have been spent, and the nature of such expenses,” the Resolution stated.
It added that “as the chief executive of the city of Cabadbaran, respondent exercises control over the city’s funds and is accountable for them.” ###