P127-million criminal complaint filed vs Hagedorn

Edward Hagedorn INQUIRER FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines—Retired General Eduardo Matillano and three others filed with the Office of the Ombudsman criminal complaint against former Puerto Princesa Mayor Edward Hagedorn in connection with the questionable use of P127 million funds supposed to be for the implementation of various local government projects and the purchase of sports uniforms.

In separate complaints dated April 28, Matillano, together with Narciso Pangilinan, said Hagedorn should be prosecuted for violation of Article 217 or Malversation of Public Fund for the misuse of the P125-million fund provided to Palawan by the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) in 2011.

Also facing malversation raps are former city treasurer Armando Abrea, former budget officer Ruben Francisco, and city planning coordinator Jovenee Sagun.

The P125 million is the local government support fund (LGSF) given to selected local government units (LGUs) that have been awarded the Seal of Good Housekeeping. The fund was supposed to be used for the implementation of various projects including rural electrification, local roads, connecting national roads, arterial farm to market roads and bridges, among others.

The complaint cited a report from the Commission on Audit (COA) which noted that the city government failed to account the LGSF of P125 million and explain where the fund was spent and if it was properly utilized.

“Their deliberate failure to submit the required report to the DILG on the utilization of the LGSF casts serious doubts that the monies were spent on PPAs for the city of Puerto Princesa. Their deliberate disregard for the regulations set forth by the DILG on the use of the said fund can be perceived as a deliberate act to conceal where the money went,” the complaint stated.

On the other hand, Antonio Lagrada and Wilfredo Rama alleged that Hagedorn violated the anti-graft law for the questionable purchase of P2.3 million-worth of sports uniforms for local athletes in February 2010.

The complainants also cited a notice of disallowance from the COA which stated that the sports uniforms were purchased from Prudence Garment Manufacturing (PGM) without public bidding.

Also, the complainants said the local government failed to submit the disbursement vouchers.

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