Graft raps vs ex-mayor, others

THE Office of the Ombudsman has found probable cause to charge exLanao del Norte mayor and other municipal officials for graft and corruption.

Based on a resolution posted August 24 in the agency’s website, charged for graft were Pantar, Lanao del Norte ex-Mayor Norlainie Limbona, Municipal Accountant Paganaibae Macaumbos and then acting Municipal Treasure Orac Racmat for violation of Section3(e) of the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act (Republic Act No. 3019) and Section 89 of the Government Auditing Code of the Philippines (Presidential Decree No. 1445).

Limbona, Macaumbos and Racmat were found to have approved and facilitated several fund disbursements from January 2008 to January 2009 totaling P11.8M even if prior cash advances had not yet been liquidated. The cash advances from January to June 2008 were drawn without specific expenditure, in violation of Commission on Audit (COA) Circular No. 97-002.

The Commission on Audit reported that Rac-

mat had unliquidated cash advances of P2,310,185.30 and also cited the lack of reports, records and documents to account for the funds.

Under the COA rules, no cash advance shall be given unless for a legally specific purpose and that no additional cash advances shall be allowed to any official or employee unless the previous cash advance given to him is first settled or a proper accounting thereof is made.