Monday, April 13, 2015

Ombudsman indicts 5 ex-Marine officers over P36.7M allowances mess

From InterAksyon (Apr 13): Ombudsman indicts 5 ex-Marine officers over P36.7M allowances mess

The Office of the Ombudsman has indicted five former officers of the Philippine Marines for their alleged involvement in anomalous transactions of P36,768,028.95 worth of allowances.
 
Ombudsman Conchita Carpio-Morales said charges of malversation and violation of Section 3(e) of Republic Act No. 3019 (Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act) has been filed before the Sandiganbayan against Colonel Renato Miranda, Lt. Col. Jeson Cabatbat, Major Adelo Jandayan, Capt. Felicisimo Millado and Capt. Edmundo Yurong in connection with the anomalous utilization of the Combat Clothing Allowance and Individual Equipment Allowance (CCIE) intended for the benefit of Philippine Marine Corps (PMC) enlisted personnel.

The ranks of the respondents as indicated in the Information were based on the positions they held during the alleged commission of the crime.

Miranda retired from the service years ago with the rank of major general.

Morales said graft investigators found that, in December 1999, CCIE allowance amounting to P43.5 million was released by the Philippine Navy and liquidated through the payroll system but not as cash advances of the enlisted personnel.

PMC officials alleged that, out of P43.5 million, P32.9 million was paid to suppliers while P4.2 million was utilized to defray other expenses. Furthermore, P6.2 million was transferred to the custody of the finance officer for payment of the remaining CCIE.

"Investigation showed that, based on disbursement vouchers signed by Miranda, 19 checks all dated in April 2000 were issued in favor of Millado. The checks were encashed and the proceeds were turned over to Jandayan. In turn, Cabatbat and Yurong certified and submitted falsified payrolls of the enlisted personnel. Upon verification and random sampling, 145 enlisted personnel stationed in various provinces denied receiving any allowance and signing in the payroll," Morales said.

Ombudsman Morales also explained that she denied the Motion for Reconsideration of the accused "considering the amount involved, the military officials should have exercised due diligence and prudence in entering into transactions involving funds and that failure to do so signifies [their] active participation in the anomalous transaction which resulted to the defraudation of the government."

On the other hand, the criminal charges against Brigadier General Percival Subala and Capt. Carolyn Bontolo were dismissed for lack of probable cause.

http://www.interaksyon.com/article/108720/ombudsman-indicts-5-ex-marine-officers-over-p36-7m-allowances-mess

No comments:

Post a Comment

Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.