Fuentebella couple accused of fund misuse before Ombudsman

A complaint for misappropriation of public funds has been filed with the Ombudsaman against former House Speaker Arnulfo Fuentebella, his wife Mayor Evelyn Fuentebella of Sangay, Camarines Sur, and a certain Fidelis Apalisok.

The anti-corruption group ZeroTolerance.Org filed the crimi-

nal complaint on Tuesday with the Office of the Deputy Ombudsman for Luzon.

Fuentebella was charged with misappropriating public funds during his terms as Camarines Sur congressman. He is also accused of misdeclaration of his Statement of Assets and Liabilities and Networth (SALN). The couple wasaccused of accumulating more than 186 million while in public office.

The group charged that the misappropriation, malversation, and misuse of public funds in the construction of a multi-purpose building, and other infrastructures worth some 10.9 million in the family’s property in Sagnay, Camarines Sur; construction of a sports complex, roads, and another multi-purpose building worth 28.7 million, in the family-owned Abo Farm in Tigaon, Camarines Sur; and construction of an irrigation system in another privately owned estate in Tigaon town amounting to 5.6 million.

ZeroTolerance.Org said the properties were registered in the name of Apalisok.

Part of its initial research came from the Commission on Audit (COA) Special Audits Office (SAO) report on “Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF).