DEPUTY Ombudsman for the Visayas Paul Elmer Clemente has ordered the filing of multiple charges against former Calbiga, Samar councilor David Bacsal.
Bacsal is set to face trial for malversation of public funds, falsification of public documents, and falsification of private documents under the Revised Penal Code.
Aside from criminal indictment, the respondent was found guilty of serious dishonesty, which carries the penalty of dismissal from the service.
The order carries the accessory penalties of perpetual disqualification from holding public office, forfeiture of retirement benefits and cancellation of eligibility.
In case of separation from office, the penalty is convertible to a fine equivalent to respondent’s salary for one year.
Investigators from Ombudsman Visayas found that in 2011, Bacsal made it appear that he attended the 8th National Congress of the Philippine Councilors League (PCL) held at the Mall of Asia in Pasay.
As part of his cash advance, Bacsal received P18,380 to cover his travel expenses.
Upon review of his liquidation documents, the Ombudsman found that Bacsal falsified his certificate of appearance and official receipt, both private documents, as well as his liquidation report, a public document.
Representatives from the PCL certified that Bacsal was not on the record as having registered for the event and certified that the receipt presented by Bacsal was not issued to him but instead issued under the name of a representative from Silvino Lobos, Samar.
According to Clemente, “under the foregoing circumstances, it is therefore evident that respondent did not use the cash advance for the purpose for which it was intended [but] instead, converted the same to his own personal use.”
The Department of the Interior and Local Government was directed to implement the Ombudsman’s order in the administrative case.
Reports said Bacsal became a vice mayor in 2014 but is now living as a civilian. (SunStar Philippines)