The Office of the Ombudsman has slapped multiple counts of Malversation, violations of Section 3(e) of the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act (Republic Act No. 3019) and the Government Auditing Code of the Philippines (Presidential Decree 1445) for consistently failing to account for public funds under his custody and control. Mayor Crisostomo Eguia, Jr. of Katipunan, Zamboanga Del Norte is facing 90 counts of graft, 89 counts of violation of Section 89 of P.D. 1445 and 55 counts of Malversation before the Sandiganbayan.
The Ombudsman also ordered the dismissal from the service of Eguia, et al, after they were found guilty of Gross Misconduct, Gross Neglect of Duty and Conduct Prejudicial to the Best Interest of the Service. They were also meted the accessory penalties of perpetual disqualification from holding public office, cancellation of eligibility and forfeiture of retirement benefits. In case of separation from the service, the penalty is convertible to a fine equivalent to respondents’ one year salary.
The Commission on Audit (COA) uncovered that Eguia’s cash advances dating as far back in 1998 remained unliquidated despite demand in February 2012 to account for the public funds. The COA reported that Eguia “grossly violated the law by effecting the liquidation of his cash advances a number of years after it should have been done.” From 1998 to 2011, Eguia received a total of P2million in cash advances for travel expenses. Upon audit, several deficiencies were reported by the COA such as lack of supporting documents, no travel order, lack of receipts, and the itinerary of travels were approved by the mayor himself instead of the governor.
According to the Ombudsman, “it is a declared public policy that all resources of the government should be managed, expended or utilized in accordance with the law and safeguarded against loss or wastage.”
The Office added that “as head of agency, respondent Eguia has the additional responsibility to ensure the proper granting, utilization and liquidation of all cash advances.”
Included in the charge sheet are municipal treasurer Cipriano Plazos and municipal accountant Urdaneta Madridondo.###