Ombud – Ex-brgy execs falsified payrolls

TWO former barangay officials and a councilor of barangay Camp 4 in Talisay City will be charged with malversation for allegedly falsifying payrolls for the release of public funds.

The Office of the Ombudsman Visayas found basis to file charges in court against former barangay captain Marcial Berondo, and former barangay treasurer Elizabeth Nacua.

Berondo and Nacua will be facing seven counts of malversation of public funds through falsication of public documents in court.

Barangay councilor Jaime Gomes, is also facing four counts of the same offense with the other respondents.

The issue stemmed from a compliant filed by one Premir Nacua who accused the respondents in conspiring to make it appear that certain persons affixed their signatures in several payrolls for some projects.

However, the complainant said the persons who appeared to have signed the payrolls didn’t receive the questionable amounts.

Meanwhile, the Ombudsman asked a government engineer to explain how she managed to acquire properties whose total value goes way beyond her salary and income.

The anti-graft office filed in court a petition for forfeiture of “unlawfully acquired properties” against Lilah Rodas, engineer II of the Maritime Industry Authority in Central Visayas.

The Ombudsman  requested the court to order Rodas to “show cause” or to explain why her assets amounted to P900,000 in 2003 when her annual income was just P173,400.

After trial, the Ombudsman wants the court to forfeit in favor of the petitioner Rodas’ Mitsubishi Pajero and Toyota Surf worth P600,000; and personal properties which include pieces of jewelry, appliances valued at P300,000. /Reporter Ador Vincent S. Mayol