Ombudsman suspends Quezon mayor, 5 others over 'irregular' use of disaster funds

The Office of the Ombudsman has ordered the preventive suspension of San Andres, Quezon Mayor Sergio Francisco Emprese and five other municipal officials for allegedly using disaster funds for the purchase of food commodities in 2012.

In an order signed on March 5, Ombudsman Samuel Martires suspended Emprese for six months without pay pending investigation of the case.

The Ombudsman also suspended municipal budget officer Renato Fontanil, municipal treasurer Royle Macandog, municipal engineer Pedro Ruiz Jr., project development officer Sheila May Llanto, and senior bookkeeper Louie Senolos.

Councilors Nelson Pilarta, Khirk Banquiles, Nelso Ausa, and Dondon Ludovice filed the complaint at the Ombudsman.

Emprese allegedly used the local disaster risk reduction and management fund for the "irregular, excessive, and unnecessary" purchase of food commodities worth P878,374.

The supply was distributed to seven barangays and partly served as full meals to workers during the construction of farm-to-market roads, but the complainants cited the report of the Commission on Audit that there was no state of calamity at the time.

The Ombudsman said the evidence presented by the complainants warrants the suspension of Emprese and his co-respondents, who also face possible graft charges at the Sandiganbayan.

"Without prejudice to the final disposition of the instant case, this office finds that there is preliminary showing that the evidence of guilt of respondents for the offense of grave misconduct is strong," the Ombudsman said.

The anti-graft body added Emprese and his co-respondents gave undue advantage to a certain Rouiebelle Store, owned by Senolos' wife Robessa, for the procurement of food commodities.

The Ombudsman said no public bidding was conducted for the transaction, with Senolos signing the disbursement vouchers himself.

The Ombudsman warned that Emprese and the other local officials may be removed from the service if they are found guilty.

"Their continued stay in office may prejudice the just, fair, and independent dispositions of the case filed against them, especially the main respondent, being no less than the Municipal Mayor of San Andres, Quezon," it said. — MDM, GMA News