DAVAO CITY—The Office of the Ombudsman in Mindanao said the charges of financial irregularity against three members of the Valdevieso clan in Matalam, North Cotabato province, had been referred to the Fraud Audit Office of the Commission on Audit (COA) in Quezon City.
Hilde dela Cruz-Likit, graft investigation and prosecution officer at the Ombudsman Mindanao here, said the referral of the allegations to COA was “necessary” as the complaint against Matalam Mayor Oscar Valdevieso, and his daughters Vice Mayor Cheryl Valdevieso-Catamco and Board Member Maybell Valdevieso, alleged misuse of millions of pesos in public funds.
Case buildup
“A case buildup was considered necessary for the case to withstand preliminary investigation and, if warranted, prosecution in court,” said Likit in response to a query on the status of the graft complaint against the Valdeviesos and two others.
The complainants—Matalam Councilor Christopher Barraca, former Vice Mayor Miniato Cano and private citizens Leonardo Songcaya, Jose Calimutan and Bernardo Galvez—accused the Valdeviesos of playing key roles in “several anomalous and felonious transactions.”
In their affidavit submitted to the Ombudsman in September, they said the elder Valdevieso “abused his powers and connections” as mayor by maneuvering to award government contracts to several suppliers owned by his family or friends.
Mayor Valdevieso denied any wrongdoing and said the charges were part of the demolition job on him and his family. Inquirer Mindanao