Ombudsman finds probable cause to file graft, malversation raps vs. Crisologo

Ombudsman Conchita Carpio Morales has found probable cause to file graft and malversation charges against Quezon City Representative and Deputy Majority Leader Vincent “Bingbong” Crisologo before the Sandiganbayan over the alleged misappropriation of his P8-million Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF) in 2009.

The Ombudsman said Crisologo will face two counts each of violation of Section 3(e) of the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act, malversation, and malversation through falsicification of public documents.

Task Force PDAF found that Crisologo requested the Department of Budget and Management to release his PDAF for the implementation of the Comprehensive Integrated Delivery of Social Services (CIDSS) program with the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) as its implementing agency.

The Ombudsman said Crisologo chose Kaloocan Assistance Council, Inc. (KACI) as non-government organization-partner. KACI’s main supplier, Silver A Enterprises, is a non-registered entity at the Department of Trade and Industry after verification.

Under the CIDSS program, Crisologo tapped KACI as partner for medical/hospitalization assistance, transportation, calamity, death, burial, educational expenses, small-scale livelihood, socio-cultural expenses, small-scale infrastructure assistance and values training for his constituents in the First District.

The Ombudsman, however, said KACI submitted falsified receipts and that the beneficiaries of the financial assistance included coordinators and political supporters of Crisologo.

Alleged beneficiaries of the program also denied receiving any burial or financial assistance. They denied signing any document, contrary to the signatures appearing on the vouchers of the program.

Furthermore, representatives from the National Children’s Hospital said they did not receive any free medical or dental mission in October 2009.

The Ombudsman said Crisologo’s failure to show any effort in ensuring KACI’s proper liquidation of his PDAF “could only mean that he benefitted from the  transaction or that he was grossly negligent.”

“[Crisologo] is after all, accountable for the funds because he has control, if not actual custody of the funds, as these funds cannot be released without his consent and directives,” Morales said.

“Crisologo treated his PDAF as if it were his own funds, dictating how it should be utilized and released.  He not only identified the project, implementing agency and NGO, but also determined how much of his PDAF should go to the projects, or in this case, KACI,” the Ombudsman added.

Aside from Crisologo, the Ombudsman also ordered the filing of charges against former DSWD Secretary Esperanza Cabral, Undersecretary Mateo Montaño, and other officials of the agency, namely: Lualhati Pablo, Leonila Hayahay, Vilma Cabrera, and Pacita Sarino.

KACI president Cenon Mayor was the long private respondent in the case.

The Ombudsman, in its resolution, took fault at the DSWD officials for their failure “to conduct a due diligence audit on KACI and its suppliers.”

“Instead, they accepted the sole representation of Congressman Crisologo and KACI to undertake the projects in contravention of existing procurement laws and regulations. Further, they processed the release of the PDAF to KACI on the sole basis of the indorsement letter and project design,” the resolution said.

GMA News Online is contacting Crisologo for comment as of posting time. —KG, GMA News