Former LWUA exec Jamora faces 150 counts of graft, malversation
Top executives of the Local Water Utilities Administration (LWUA) face hundreds of counts of graft and malversation for claiming excessive reimbursements without the proper liquidation documents.
In a statement on Thursday, Ombudsman Conchita Carpio Morales said she has ordered the filing of charges against former LWUA Administrator Lorenzo Jamora, who faces a whopping 150 counts of graft and malversation each.
Morales said Jamora and the other executives claimed excessive extraordinary expenses in 2006 without supporting documents.
The reimbursements also exceeded the approved budget ceiling set by the Department of Budget and Management.
The other LWUA executives facing charges are: Aurora Raymundo-Arnaez (15 counts each for malversation and graft), Leonard Matti (15 counts each for malversation and graft), Francisco Dumpit (7 counts each for malversation and graft), Eduardo Bangayan (11 counts each for malversation and graft), Daniel Landingin (101 counts each), Emmanuel Malicdem (74 counts each), Lilian Asprer (54 counts each), Wilfredo Feleo (41 counts each), Jesus Copuyoc (12 counts each), Edelwina Parungao (11 counts each), Manalo Kagahastian (12 counts each), Manuel Yoingco (13 counts each), Alfredo Espino (12 counts each), Rebecca Barbo (11 counts each), Armando Fernandez (12 counts each), Edwin Ruiz (12 counts each), Bernardito de Jesus (13 counts each), Antonio Magtibay (13 counts each), Enrique Gita (12 counts each), Avelino Castillo (20 counts each), Lourdes Perele (43 counts each), Mario Quitoriano (10 counts each), Eleanora de Jesus (63 counts each), Hermilo Balucan (9 counts each), Edison Cuenca (1 count each), Venus Pozon (14 counts each), Julian Tajolosa (13 counts each), Primo Lomibao (230 counts each), Arnaldo Espinas (12 counts each), Almer Zerrudo (12 counts each), Leopoldo Palad (263 counts each) and Julita Corpuz (36 counts each).
The charges stemmed from a Commission on Audit report which found that the executives claimed reimbursements worth P12.879 million which were supported by pro forma certificates instead of proper liquidation documents like official receipts and documents.
The COA in 2009 had issued a notice of disallowance on the claims for reimbursement of the executives on the extraordinary expenses worth between P230,000 and P986,356 per person.
Morales said that “by attesting that the funds were spent on meetings, seminars and conferences, official entertainment, and public relations, when in truth and in fact, there were no receipts and other supporting documents to prove such expenses, respondents made untruthful statements on a public document to facilitate the misappropriation of public funds.”
“Respondents acted with evident bad faith and/or gross inexcusable negligence when they caused and/or participated in the illegal release of funds,” Morales said in her resolution.
The Ombudsman also found Jamora and the other LWUA executives guilty of the administrative offense of Dishonesty, Grave Misconduct and Falsification of Official Documents.
They were ordered dismissed from the service. They were meted the accessory penalties of perpetual disqualification from holding public office, forfeiture of retirement benefits, and bar from taking the civil service examination.
In case of separation from service, the penalty is convertible to a fine equivalent to respondent’s one year salary. JE
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