Ex-LWUA execs face raps for 'excessive' reimbursements

The Office of the Ombudsman has ordered the filing of multiple counts of criminal charges against former high-ranking officials of the Local Water Utilities Administration (LWUA) over their alleged excessive and unsupported reimbursements in 2006.

In an order recently signed by Ombudsman Conchita Carpio Morales, former LWUA administrator Lorenzo Jamora was ordered charged before the Sandiganbayan with 150 counts of violation of Section 3 (e) of Republic Act 3019 or the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act and another 150 counts of malversation of public funds as defined under Article 217 of the Revised Penal Code (RPC).

Also facing multiple counts of the same offenses were 32 other former LWUA executives, namely:

• Leopoldo Palad  (263 counts each of malversation and graft)
• Primo Lomibao (230 counts each of malversation and graft)
• Daniel Landingin (101 counts each of malversation and graft)
• Emmanuel Malicdem (74 counts each of malversation and graft)
• Eleanora de Jesus (63 counts each of malversation and graft)
• Lilian Asprer (54 counts each of malversation and graft)
• Lourdes Perele (43 counts each of malversation and graft)
• Wilfredo Feleo (41 counts each of malversation and graft)
• Julita Corpuz (36 counts each of malversation and graft)
• Avelino Castillo (20 counts each of malversation and graft)
• Aurora Raymundo-Arnaez (15 counts each of malversation and graft)
• Leonard Matti (15 counts each of malversation and graft)
• Venus Pozon (14 counts each of malversation and graft)
• Bernardito de Jesus (13 counts each of malversation and graft)
• Antonio Magtibay (13 counts each of malversation and graft)
• Manuel Yoingco (13 counts each of malversation and graft)
• Julian Tajolosa (13 counts each of malversation and graft)
• Jesus Copuyoc (12 counts each of malversation and graft)
• Manalo Kagahastian (12 counts each of malversation and graft)
• Alfredo Espino (12 counts each of malversation and graft)
• Armando Fernandez (12 counts each of malversation and graft)
• Edwin Ruiz (12 counts each of malversation and graft)
• Enrique Gita (12 counts each of malversation and graft)
• Arnaldo Espinas (12 counts each of malversation and graft)
• Almer Zerrudo (12 counts each of malversation and graft)
• Eduardo Bangayan (11 counts each of malversation and graft)
• Edelwina Parungao (11 counts each of malversation and graft)
• Rebecca Barbo (11 counts each of malversation and graft)
• Mario Quitoriano (10 counts each of malversation and graft)
• Hermilo Balucan (nine counts each of malversation and graft)
• Francisco Dumpit (seven counts each of malversation and graft)
• Edison Cuenca (one count each of malversation and graft)

Based on the Ombudsman’s records, the respondents, in 2006, claimed reimbursements totaling P12,879,337.77 allegedly without supporting documents and in excess of the approved budget ceiling provided by the Department of Budget and Management (DBM).

The Ombudsman cited a Commission on Audit (COA) report that said the respondents’ reimbursement claims were merely supported by pro forma certificates instead of official receipts and documents. 

The Ombudsman also gave weight on a Notice of Disallowance issued by COA in July 2009 disallowing the excess in the reimbursement claims, which amounted to P230,000 to P986,000 per LWUA executive.

“Respondents acted with evident bad faith and/or gross inexcusable negligence when they caused and/or participated in the illegal release of funds,” the Ombudsman’s resolution read.

“By attesting that the funds were spent on meetings, seminars and conferences, official entertainment, and public relations, when in truth and in fact, there were no receipts and other supporting documents to prove such expenses, respondents made untruthful statements on a public document to facilitate the misappropriation of public funds,” it added.

Aside from their indictment for criminal charges, Jamora and the 32 other former LWUA officials were also found guilty of administrative offenses of dishonesty, grave misconduct and falsification of official documents.

They were ordered dismissed from the service, but due to their separation from LWUA, the Ombudsman said the penalty is convertible to a fine equivalent to each respondent’s one-year worth of salary.

The respondents were also meted with accessory penalties of perpetual disqualification from holding public office, forfeiture of retirement benefits and cancellation of eligibility to take civil service examination.  —KBK, GMA News