Ex-Lanao exec faces malversation, graft raps over 'ghost' water project

A former executive of the Tugaya Water District in Lanao del Sur is facing malversation and graft charges for his alleged misuse of P10 million funds for the construction of a water supply system in 2011.

The Office of the Ombudsman has ordered the filing of malversation of public funds and violation of the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act against former acting general manager Jamaloden Faisal and Alikahn Ebrahim of Nascon Builders.

The Ombudsman said Faisal reportedly received more than P10 million as part of the initial funding for the water supply improvement project in January 2011.

However, a fact-finding investigation conducted by graft investigators in Davao City revealed that the project was non-existent and the respondents submitted fake liquidation documents.

“The fact that the water supply improvement project is non-existent is sufficient proof to engender a well-founded belief that public funds were misappropriated for respondent Faisal’s own private use or benefit,” the Ombudsman resolution said.

Investigators from the National Bureau of Investigation also submitted a joint affidavit of inspection saying “the reservoirs funded by [Local Water Utilities Administration] are inexistent, based on the Development Map and Detailed Cost Estimate of the Project.”

Nascon Builders had also denied their involvement in the project. —ALG, GMA News