The Office of the Ombudsman has slapped multiple counts of Falsification of Public Documents against Department of Agriculture Acting Director III Jose Balatucan, Jr. before the Sandiganbayan. He is set to face trial for 13 counts of Falsification in connection with 13 falsified trip tickets using a government vehicle in 2012.
Upon review of the evidence, the Ombudsman found that he falsely stated in the trip tickets that he was the Regional Technical Director (RTD) for Research and Development. At one time, Balatucan and his wife used the vehicle without authority to go to the Davao International airport.
In its Resolution, the Ombudsman found that “respondent was fully aware that he was no longer the designated RTD when he signed the trip tickets” as “he was already relieved from that designated position. ###