THE Bureau of Corrections (Bucor) filed on Monday, February 6, 2023, multiple charges including plunder and graft against its suspended head General Gerald Bantag.
Charges of plunder, malversation of public funds through falsification of official documents, graft and corruption and violation of the Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees were filed against Bantag before the Department of Justice by Bucor Officer-in-Charge Gregorio Catapang.
Other respondents of the complaint were Correction Technical Superintendent Arnold Jacinto Guzman, Correction Inspector Ric Rocacurba, Correction Inspector Solomon Areniego, Correction Technical Officer 1 Jor-el De Jesus, Correction Technical Officer 2 Angelo Castillo and Correction Technical Officer Alexis Catindig.
The charges were in relation to the P1-billion contract entered into by Bucor under Bantag’s watch for the construction of three prison facilities at Davao Prison and Penal Farm, Iwahig Prison and Penal Farm in Puerto Princesa, Palawan and Leyte Regional Prison.
It was noted in the six-page complaint that Bantag formed a separate Bidding and Award Committee exclusive for the said project, which allegedly aims to "divert" or "misappropriate" public funds.
“Respondent Bantag in conspiracy with, and with indispensable complicity of, the other herein respondents, has purposely and systematically orchestrated the diversion/misappropriation and/or consenting or permitting other persons, to take public funds, of the Bureau of Corrections," the complaint reads.
Bantag is facing murder charges in relation to the killing of veteran radio broadcaster Percy Lapid and Jun Villamor, a New Bilibid Prison detainee who allegedly facilitated the latter’s execution. (SunStar Philippines)