School principal in Talisay City faces malversation raps

A SCHOOL principal in Talisay City, southern Cebu, will be facing trial for allegedly pocketing P12,600 in public funds by falsifying an official document.

Maria Lourdes Ipong, principal of the Talisay City Central School, was indicted by the Office of the Ombudsman in the Visayas on charges of malversation of public funds through falsification of public document.

Bail was recommended at P40,000.

The case stemmed from the complaint filed by spiritual advisers and officers of the Talisay City Swimming and Life Saving Association Inc. against Ipong.

In 2006, the complainants supervised the city’s swimming team, which joined the Central Visayas Regional Athletic Association in Tagbilaran City.

Ipong allegedly told them the city government didn’t allocate funds for the athletes’ swimsuits.

The parents of the swimmers decided to buy swimsuits for their children.

However, the complainants later found out that Ipong was able to receive from the city government a reimbursement of the swimsuits and swimming trunks she purchased.

At least 13 young swimmers said they were unable receive the swimsuits and that they and not affixed their signatures in the Acknowledgement Receipt for Equipment.

In her counteraffidavit, Ipong said it was her responsibility to prepare all athletes, coaches, and the different committees to man the delegation from their division.

Ipong said officials and employees of Talisay City prepared and processed the Acknowledgement Receipt for Equipment.

She, however, claimed she received a check worth P12,600 from the city government.

In her resolution, graft investigation and prosecution officer Jane Aguilar cited a Supreme Court ruling that states that “the possessor of the falsified document is presumed to be the author thereof.”

Ipong allegedly forged the signatures of the swimmers in the acknowledgement receipt to get hold of the money. REPORTER ADOR VINCENT S. MAYOL