THE Office of the Ombudsman Mindanao (OMB) recommended the filing of charges against the assistant airport manager of the Davao International Airport for malversation of public funds.
The assistant airport manager allegedly asked their service vehicle driver to deliver to his house gasoline intended for the office lawnmower.
Facing charges for malversation of public funds or property and violation of Section 3e of Republic Act 3019 or the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act is Jose Emmanuel Saddam.
Charged together with Saddam were airport manager III/airport area manager Frederick Gerona San Felix, airfield and lighting power technician II Darius Cal de Guzman, airfield and power technician III/designated technical inspector Roy Palacay Librado, security guard I/acting supply officer Marilou Baculado Calunzag, air terminal supervisor/designated administrative officer Michael Bangoy Aldea, utility worker I Pablo Espinosa Bantog, utility worker I/designated staff supply unit Alexander Payda Suarez, accountant I Teresita Lomanta Labado, and service vehicle driver Gregorio Alderite.
But charges against these personnel of the Davao International Airport were dismissed due to lack of evidence.
Graft Investigation and Prosecution Officer Vivian A. Jumillia, in a resolution dated April 30, 2015, found probable cause to charge Saddam.
The filing of the complaint stemmed from an anonymous letter dated January 4, 2011 acted by lawyer Marco Anacleto P. Buena of the complaints unit of OMB.
The complaint alleged that the evaluation of fuel payments of the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines showed that the payment of the gasoline for grass cutters and tractors is supposed to be separate from the record of payment of the gasoline for administrative vehicles.
However, they found records that showed that about 280 liters or P11,434.80 worth of gasoline purchase for grass cutters and lawn mowers were included in the payment for administrative vehicles.
Alderite, in his affidavit dated January 13, 2011, stated that he withdrew 40 liters of premium gasoline at least twice a month and delivered it to Saddam's house.
He also stated in his supplemental affidavit dated March 18, 2011 that he started to withdraw and deliver 40 liters of unleaded gasoline to Saddam's residence in 2010 and that he started to withdraw and deliver Premium Gold Gasoline to Saddam's house only in September 2010.
Saddam in his affidavit denied the charges, but was overruled by the Ombudsman prosecutor.