Ex-DOE exec faces raps for swindling contractor of P6.59 million

State prosecutors have filed criminal cases with the Sandiganbayan against a former Department of Energy (DOE) executive for allegedly defrauding a contractor of P6.59 million in exchange for a solar street lighting deal that never pushed through.

Dismissed DOE Assistant Secretary Matanog Mapandi, and his consultants Myrna Almonte and Francisco Merilles, were charged with 21 counts of estafa by means of deceit for allegedly taking advantage of CHA Construction & Supply contractor Elizabeth Sibulo in 2009 and 2010.

Mapandi and his consultants allegedly misled Sibulo into thinking they could help her construction firm secure the P50-million project in Magarao, Camarines Sur, according to the charge sheet by the Office of the Ombudsman’s Office of the Special Prosecutor on Friday.

However, it turned out that Mapandi did not have the authority to award the project. The department also ended up shelving the proposal when the administration changed in 2010.

No power

“In truth and in fact and as the accused knew fully well, they had no such power and influence in the approval and release of the P50-million solar street lighting project and that the same was disapproved by the DOE, thus causing damage and prejudice to Elizabeth DS. Sibulo in the amount aforestated,” the charges read.

Prosecutors recommended that bail be fixed at a total of P566,000 for the 21 counts of estafa.

Estafa by means of deceit is punishable by a maximum of 20 years’ imprisonment.

Mapandi was earlier dismissed by the Ombudsman in May 2015 after he held administratively liable for soliciting money from Sibulo.