The Army officers were accused of “inducing or influencing” seven other Army members not to return the cash advances they each received for a cancelled official mission to the United States. Philstar.com/File photo
Retired and incumbent officials of the Philippine Army are facing graft charges over their alleged failure to return the cash advances they received in 2002 for a cancelled mission to the United States.
Retired and incumbent officials of the Philippine Army are facing graft charges over their alleged failure to return the cash advances they received in 2002 for a cancelled mission to the United States.
In separate case information sheets filed by the Office of the Ombudsman before the Sandiganbayan, retired Army Colonels Arnolfo Palmea and Rommel Cordova were charged with seven counts each of violation of Section 3 (a) of Republic Act 3019 or the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act.
Palmea and Cordova were accused of “inducing or influencing” seven other Army members not to return the cash advances they each received for a cancelled official mission to Anniston, Alabama in America but instead deposit the amounts to their private bank accounts with the Armed Forces of the Philippines Savings and Loans Association Inc. (AFPSLAI).
Palmea and Cordova were accused of “inducing or influencing” seven other Army members not to return the cash advances they each received for a cancelled official mission to Anniston, Alabama in America but instead deposit the amounts to their private bank accounts with the Armed Forces of the Philippines Savings and Loans Association Inc. (AFPSLAI).
Facing one count each of violation of Section 3 (a) of RA 3019 were Army members Master Sergeant Godofredo Juguilon Jr., Staff Sergeants Marcelino Cuevas, Lorenzo Bassig and Joseph Balazo, Techical Sergeant Simplicio Tagara Jr., Sergeant Ely Amar and Seaman First Class Alain Polancos.
Palmea, meanwhile, is solely facing one count of malversation of public funds under Article 217 of the Revised Penal Code.
Based on the information of the cases, Palmea and the seven Army members each received P563,406 cash advances from the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Finance Center for an “official mission” to Alabama.
The mission, however, was cancelled on March 27, 2002.
Palmea was the leader of the eight-man team for the supposed mission, while Cordova was at that time assigned at the Philippine Army's Strategic Management Brigade.
The ombudsman said records revealed that the seven Army members deposited their cash advances to their AFPSLAI accounts in November 2002. The ombudsman said this was in violation of Commission on Audit (COA) Circular No. 97-002, which mandates that a cash advance which has not been used for a period of two months must be returned to a collecting officer or the office that released the amount.
Palmea, meanwhile, is solely facing one count of malversation of public funds under Article 217 of the Revised Penal Code.
Based on the information of the cases, Palmea and the seven Army members each received P563,406 cash advances from the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Finance Center for an “official mission” to Alabama.
The mission, however, was cancelled on March 27, 2002.
Palmea was the leader of the eight-man team for the supposed mission, while Cordova was at that time assigned at the Philippine Army's Strategic Management Brigade.
The ombudsman said records revealed that the seven Army members deposited their cash advances to their AFPSLAI accounts in November 2002. The ombudsman said this was in violation of Commission on Audit (COA) Circular No. 97-002, which mandates that a cash advance which has not been used for a period of two months must be returned to a collecting officer or the office that released the amount.
Meanwhile, though there was no allegation that Palmea deposited his cash advances to his AFPSLAI account, the ombudsman said he nonetheless took the amount “for his personal use” as the same was not returned to the AFP Finance Center.
The ombudsman recommended P250,000 and P210,000 bail bond for Palmea and Cordova, respectively.
Meanwhile, P30,000 bail bond was recommended for each of the seven Army members.
The ombudsman recommended P250,000 and P210,000 bail bond for Palmea and Cordova, respectively.
Meanwhile, P30,000 bail bond was recommended for each of the seven Army members.
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