FORMER PHL CONSULATE EXEC IN DUBAI FACES CRIMINAL RAPS

THE Office of the Ombudsman found probable cause to file criminal charges before the Pasay City Regional Trial Court against a former employee of the Department of Foreign Affairs.

In separate Informations, former Finance Officer/ Foreign Service Staff III Ginia Rica Concha was charged with Malversation of Public Funds (Article 217 of the Revised Penal Code) and Violation of Section 3(e) of Republic Act No. 3019 (Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act).

The case stemmed from a complaint filed by Melita Sta. Maria-Thomeczek, DFA Assistant Secretary for Personnel and Administrative Services against Concha who was previously assigned at the Dubai Philippine Consulate General (Dubai-PCG) from November 27, 2004 to August 21, 2006.

Investigation conducted by the Dubai-PCG revealed that “as of March 31, 2007, Dubai PCG’s local currency collection amounting to AED 106,706.11 (P1,399,702.16) was in the custody of respondent but was not deposited nor turned over to the incoming Finance Officer resulting in the loss of said funds.”

In Concha’s Memorandum dated 13 June 2007, she admitted and took full responsibility for the loss of the Dubai funds and likewise executed an affidavit of undertaking and acknowledgment of accountability.

In a seven-page Resolution, the Office of the Ombudsman determined that all the elements of Malversation are present in this case, relying heavily on her Memorandum in which “she appeared to have admitted her liability.”

She was charged with graft for causing undue injury to the government because it was deprived of the amount derived from the Philippine Consulate services of Dubai which should have been deposited with or turned over to the incoming Finance Officer.

Ombudsman files falsification raps against QC fire exec

An official of the Quezon City Fire District was charged for allegedly falsifying an original receipt for the issuance of an inspection clearance by making it appear that the amount paid by a construction company was P89,000 instead of P89.00 only, which is the original fee for the said clearance.

Charged before the QC Regional Trial Court with estafa through falsification was Engt. Ramil Morales, reportedly the acting chief of QCFD’s Building Plans Processing Section.

Graft Investigation and Prosecution Officer Jamila Cruz-Sarga of the Office of the Ombudsman recommended the filing of charges against Morales after finding probable cause to indict him in court.

The case stemmed from the complaints of Roland Pidlaoan of Metro Stonerich Corp. who claimed that in January 2008, his company applied clearances of inspection for the installation of electrical and fire equipment at the expansion project of SM Shoemart in Cubao.

The complainant said that a certain Morales, who introduced himself as a QC Hall employee, approached him and asked P89,000 to facilitate the issuance of the inspection clearance.

On June 30, 2008, the amount of P89,000 was given to Morales, who in turn gave the complainant a photocopy of OR for P89,000 written on it. But the complainant later learned that the true amount indicated in the original receipt was only P89.

 

 

Ex-Zamboanga gov asks Sandigan to place him under house arrest

Former Zamboanga Sibugay Gov. George T. Hofer has asked the Sandiganbayan Fifth Division to place him under house arrest in connection with two counts of graft and malversation charges filed in March last year by the Office of the Ombudsman.

Defense lawyer Paulino O. del Socorro said the former governor was just discharged from the Chong Hua Medical Center in Cebu City where he was confined for two months due to a “life-threatening illness” that was not disclosed in his motion filed December 2.

The lawyer attached a medical certificate by Dr. James Y. Tam, a specialist in internal medicine and nephrology, who advised that Hofer should “continue his medication and monitoring at home since he has to be assisted for his personal and medical needs.

Hofer is under the custody of the NBI but the lawyer stressed it lacks a facility suitable Hofer’s condition.

Prosecutors recommended bail bonds of P40,000 for each count of graft against Hofer but denied bail for the two malversation cases saying the Revised Penal Code only allows bail if the amount is P22,000 or lower.

Hofer was accused of converting the sum of P125,000 taken from the Aid to the Poor Program of the Department of Social Welfare and Development for his personal benefit with the help of co-accused, provincial government employees Editha L. Quinte and Lucia T. Palang.