Monday, September 10, 2007 'Lost' land titles prompt inquiry
THE Commission on Audit (COA) recommended investigating the loss of important documents at the General Services Office (GSO) of Cebu City Hall and to identify those liable, so appropriate administrative sanctions can be meted out.
It was learned that 12 transfer certificates of title could not be found after the city property custodian retired.
The discovery was made in March 2006, before the retirement of supply officer Mario Mondares. Two personnel whom Mondares tasked to take custody of the real property records did not own up responsibility for the loss because no proper turnover was allegedly made.
The COA suggested that a proper turnover from the outgoing to the incoming accountable officer “should be strictly imposed so there will be assurance that any loss of government property and valuable documents could be avoided, and there will be proper identification of responsible persons whenever there are shortages or missing items.”
Section 77 of Presidential Decree 1445 (State Audit Code) states that “when government funds or property are transferred from one accountable officer to another…it shall be done upon properly itemized invoice and receipt.”
The invoice and receipt “shall invariably support the clearance to be issued to the relieved or outgoing officer, subject to regulations of the commission,” it added.
The COA said Mondares “was not issued property clearance until now” because of the missing titles.
The COA sent the City Government an Audit Observation Memorandum (AOM) on the titles last December.
Turnover
The City responded by saying that it was able to secure certified true copies of the documents for 11 lots and the owner’s copy for the 12th lot from the Registry of Deeds.
The City also sent a letter-request to the Registry of Deeds not to honor transactions concerning the 12 titles.
But the COA wanted the incident to be properly investigated, and that proper turnover should be observed.
“It is recommended that a directive to conduct an investigation into the loss of the important documents be pursued so that the liabilities of the concerned personnel can be identified and the appropriate administrative sanctions can be imposed,” state auditors said.
City Administrator Francisco Fernandez already ordered the City Legal Office to investigate the matter.
The biggest of the lots spans 4,000 square meters and serves as relocation site for squatters of the old Philippine Railway in Barangay Mabolo.
Another lot, measuring 1,142 square meters, is bounded by Kawit and Noli Me Tangere Sts. in Barangay Ermita. (RHM)
