Ex-Iloilo mayor, 6 others rapped with malversation

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MANILA — Six former government officials of Lemery, Iloilo face criminal charges for malversation of public funds through falsification of public documents for failing to properly utilize public funds used in the celebration of the Saug Festival in 2008.

Ombudsman Conchita Carpio Morales upheld on Monday the finding of probable cause against former Mayor Mildred Arban-Chavez, former Executive Assistant Limwel Arban, Municipal Accountant Riza Lee Candelario, Municipal Budget Officer Isidro Parica, Officer-in-Charge Municipal Treasurer Melanie Peniero, Teacher I Pelcy Galino, as well as private respondent Freddie Cuarte.

The Ombudsman resolution said that the Committee on Audit of the Sangguniang Bayan of Lemery, Iloilo conducted an investigation on the Php 150,000 cash advance granted to Mayor Chavez in connection with the Saug Festival.

Upon referral to the Commission on Audit (COA) Regional Office No. VI for special audit examination, it was determined that the breakdown of transactions covered the following: Php 21,000 payment to Galino for rental of tables, chairs and curtains from Lemery National High School (LNHS); Php 37,000 payment to Cuarte for rental of video camera; and Php 18,000 payment to a certain Ramie Belarga for rental of generator set.

However, Cuarte denied having rented out his video equipment but admitted to having signed a voucher for the liquidation of the Php 37,000 rental payment.

On the other hand, the principal of LNHS said that the school received Php 58,000 but denied having rented out the school’s tables, chairs and curtains, as Php 21,200 from the money received was used to purchase items from the market for food preparations.

COA State Auditor III Lily Nava issued a Credit Notice dated April 16, 2009 informing the local government officials that out of the Php 150,000 cash advance, Php 132,000 was suspended while Php 18,000 was disallowed.