THE Office of the Ombudsman in the Visayas ordered the dismissal from service of an official of the Metropolitan Cebu Water District (MCWD) for misappropriating over P1.2 million in brass fittings.
The anti-graft office found Nicasio Supapo guilty of serious dishonesty.
Supapo will face trial for two counts of malversation of public funds.
The case stemmed from a complaint filed by MCWD general manager Armando Paredes.
On August 3, 2007, an audit was conducted on the stocks and materials of Supapo, team leader of the Pipeline Maintenance Department of MCWD.
Supapo allegedly made frequent and massive withdrawals of brass fittings from Janaury to August 2007.
However, usage records and job orders of the fittings were inadequate to support the resulting recorded shortage of stocks.
As department team leader, Supapo was authorized to request and withdraw stocks for specific projects.
“Having been entrusted with the custody and control of the subject stocks which he requisitioned and were actually received by him in his official capacity or by reason of the duties of his office, makes respondent accountable for the same,” the anti-graft office said. /Reporter Ador Vincent S. Mayol