5 ex-Marine officers face graft raps over clothing allowance

Ombudsman Conchita Carpio-Morales has ordered the filing of graft and malversation of public funds charges against five former officers of the Philippine Marine Corps (PMC) for alleged involvement in a clothing allowance scam.

Those to be indicted before the Sandiganbayan are Col. Renato Miranda, Lt. Col. Jeson Cabatbat, Major Adelo Jandayan, Capt. Felicisimo Millado and Capt. Edmundo Yurong.

They are being accused of having a hand in the anomalous utilization of the Combat Clothing Allowance and Individual Equipment Allowance (CCIE) totaling P36.768 million and intended for the benefit of Marine enlisted personnel 16 years ago.

The Office of the Ombudsman found that in December 1999, the CCIE allowance amounting to P43.5 million was released by the Philippine Navy and was liquidated through the payroll system and not as cash advances of the enlisted personnel.

PMC officials alleged that out of P43.5 million, P32.9 million was paid to suppliers while P4.2 million was utilized to defray other expenses and that P6.2 million was transferred to the custody of the finance officer for payment of the remaining CCIE.

Investigation showed that based on disbursement vouchers signed by Miranda, 19 checks all dated in April 2000 were issued in favor of Millado as PMC Commanding Officer.

The checks were allegedly encashed and the proceeds turned over to Jandayan, while Cabatbat and Yurong certified and submitted falsified payrolls of the enlisted personnel.

Upon verification and random sampling, 145 enlisted personnel stationed in various provinces denied receiving any allowance and signing in the payroll.

In denying the motions for reconsideration filed by the respondents, the ombudsman stated that considering the amount involved, the military officials should have “exercised due diligence and prudence in entering into transactions involving funds” and failure to do so “signifies [their] active participation in the anomalous transaction, which resulted in the defraudation of the government.”

The criminal charges against Brig. Gen. Percival Subala and Capt. Carolyn Bontolo were dismissed for lack of probable cause. The military backed the ombudsman’s action. “We do not tolerate any wrongdoing in our ranks,” Armed Forces public affairs chief Lt. Col. Harold Cabunoc said. “We want every soldier to practice the principles of honesty, transparency and accountability.”