Ex-DA exec faces charges for unauthorized use of gov’t vehicle

A former acting director in the Department of Agriculture faces falsification charges before the Sandiganbayan for allegedly falsifying trip tickets in 2012 so that he could use a government vehicle even without authority.

Jose Balatucan Jr. is set to face trial for 13 counts of falsification for falsifying 13 trip tickets.

In its investigation, the Ombudsman found that Balatucan falsely stated in his trip tickets that he was a regional technical director for research and development even though he had been relieved from that post.

Balatucan and his wife even used the government vehicle without authority just to go to the Davao International Airport, the Ombudsman said.

In its resolution, the Ombudsman said “(Balatucan) was fully aware that he was no longer the designated RTD when he signed the trip tickets” as “he was already relieved from that designated position.” CDG/rga

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