THE Office of the Ombudsman (Ombudsman) has filed before the Sandiganbayan criminal cases for malversation and violation of Section 3(e) of Republic Act (RA) 3019, or the Antigraft and Corrupt Practices Act, against four Cagayan town officials.
Charged were Mayor Nicanor de Leon of Amulung, Cagayan, former mayor Pacita de Leon, municipal treasurer Luzviminda Macasio and municipal accountant Maria Remudaro.
The charges were filed in connection with the alleged illegal disbursements of funds amounting to P18,718,161.65, from 2000 to 2009.
The Ombudsman found that, in December 2008, the Commission on Audit (COA) issued an Annual Audit Report, stating that the town’s accounts in the financial statements are unreliable and inaccurate, owing to the failure to maintain ledgers and that several funds remain unaccounted for.
The COA conducted a special fraud audit and issued several Notices of Disallowance in 2010 in connection with the unlawful disbursement of funds totaling P18 million.
The results of the audit show that Pacita and Nicanor de Leon, during their respective terms as mayor, countersigned a total of 38 checks without disbursement vouchers and other supporting documents.
Macasio allegedly approved and facilitated the release of 29 checks totaling P16,340,959.04, from 2000 to 2007, while Pacita allegedly signed nine checks totaling P2,377,202.61, from 2007 to 2009.
On the other hand, Remudaro allegedly made it appear that the checks were disbursed for valid purposes.