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Thursday, February 19, 2004
NBI recommends filing of raps v. Sarangani guv
By Edwin G. Espejo
GENERAL SANTOS -- The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) has recommended the filing of multiple graft charges against Sarangani governor Miguel Escobar and 27 other provincial officials and employees over the alleged funding of fictitious beneficiaries and non-existing cooperatives.
In a 29-page report, NBI anti-graft division chief Jose Justo Yap said graft charges should be filed against the governor for his alleged role in the disbursement of P300,000 intended for the Malungon Market Vendors Association, which was encashed by a certain Tita Sarino.
Juanilio Vegafria, president of the vendors association, later denied Sarino is their member and also denied receiving the amount from the provincial government.
The governor also reportedly approved the release of P250,000 for Bamboo Craftsmanship of Datal Batong which did not reach intended beneficiaries.
Furthermore, the same report also recommended the filing of graft charges against Escobar for "knowingly approving the anomalous release of P450,000" to a fisherman's group in Malapatan.
The check was reportedly encashed by a certain Velsie Banson who is reportedly not a resident of Malapatan, according to Victor Tanamor, Malapatan Poblacion barangay chairman.
The fisherman group also denied having received the amount.
The NBI said Escobar should face five counts of graft charges for his alleged role in several fund releases, which were also questioned by the Commission on Audit (COA) during an audit last year.
Aside from Escobar, Vice Gov. Felipe Constantino and other provincial officials were recommended for prosecution.
Over P41 million in government funds were reportedly lost in a series of anomalous releases in 2002 alone, according to Sarangani People's Action for Reform and Good Governance (Spare-Go) which filed graft charges against the government officials before the Office of the Ombudsman last year.
The NBI also found probable cause to file charges against Provincial Board members Juanito Purisima (7 counts of violation of RA 3019), Margie Rudes (22 counts), Hernando Sibugan (3 counts), Lelibeth Canillo (14 counts), Redempto Abiso (14 counts), Jesus Desedilla (2 counts), Teodoro Diaz (2 counts), Euguene Alzate (3 counts), Marlind Marcelo (3 counts), Pyang Singcoy and Cornelio Martinez.
In addition to the charges, they were also found to have violated several articles of the Revised Penal Code.
Aside from the provincial officials, the NBI also recommended the filing of charges against Malungon Wice Mayor Reynaldo Constantino for violation of the Revised Penal Code.
Others who were recommended for prosecution are Maria Camanay, Perla Maglinte, Amelia Zoleta, Renante Dialawi, Alexis de la Cruz, Eleanor Tiblani, Gina alforque, Jamie Besmanos, Eduardo Rangel, Umbra Macaglast, Normito Malinao, Moner Mangelen, Mary Ann Gadian and Sherryl Desiree Tangan.
Gadian and Tangan were formerly assigned to the office of the vice governor.
The two were the whistleblowers who executed affidavits admitting participation in the anomalous fund releases.
The two also gave NBI investigators detailed accounts on how the funds were released to fictitious beneficiaries and non-existing cooperatives.
In one of her affidavits, Gadian said she was reportedly ordered by PB member Juanito Purisima to prepare necessary documents for the release of funds that will be used by provincial officials for their travel to Manila.
Gadian said she made it appear that Sea Angels Aqua Marketing Cooperative, through its chairman Wenilo Bravo, was requesting for assistance from the provincial government.
A check worth P450,000 was reportedly issued to the cooperative through Josephine Valer, which Valer encashed at the Alabel branch of Land Bank of the Philippines.
But instead of giving the amount to the cooperative, Gadian reportedly distributed the money to members of the Provincial Board and Vice Gov. Constantino.
Bravo later told NBI investigators that they did not ask for any assistance from the provincial government and also denied receiving the amount.
Last year, the NBI conducted an investigation after Sarangani Rep. Erwin Chiongbian requested NBI director Reynaldo Wycoco to look into the alleged fund anomaly in the province.
(February 19, 2004 issue)
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