Ex-mayor in hot water over unliquidated sum

For his alleged failure to liquidate his cash advances, a former mayor of San Remigio, Cebu will face charges before the Sandiganbayan.

This was after Ombudsman Conchita Morales ordered the filing of four counts of failure to render accounts against Jay Olivar.

“Clearly, from the grant of cash advances in 2011, respondent's failure to liquidate as of 30 June 2015 speaks volumes of his criminal transgression,” Morales said in a press release.

In 2011, Olivar allegedly received P1.59 million in cash advances for the town's Christmas celebration and its supplies.

Despite the lapse of several years, however, he allegedly failed to settle the obligation.

Olivar explained he tasked a job order employee to prepare the liquidation papers.

However, due to the employee's many tasks, he failed to complete the documentation until Olivar's term ended in 2013.

Furthermore, Olivar said, they were busy implementing programs and projects after super typhoon Yolanda devastated their municipality that the liquidation ended up being not attended to.

Morales, though, was unconvinced, saying Olivar's explanation was self-serving and unsubstantiated.

“As the accountable officer, respondent should have been vigilant in processing his liquidation; or if he devolved the task to other persons, he should have exercised efficient control and supervision to ensure timely liquidation of his cash advances,” she ruled.

She said that under Commission on Audit Circular 97-002, all expenses shall be liquidated within 20 days after the end of the year.

Manto / RHM