PSC asks NBI to probe alleged scam

The Philippine Sports Commission has asked the National Bureau of Investigation to look deeper into the alleged “athletes-padding” or “payroll scam” perpetuated by an employee of the government sports agency.

“We have sought the help of the NBI on the matter so we cannot comment further,” said PSC officer-incharge Ramon Fernandez in a statement yesterday.

In a two-page letter dated July 10, 2020, addressed to NBI officer-in-charge Eric Distor, PSC executive director Merlita Ibay pointed to the employee as Paul Michael Padua Ignacio of the agency’s personnel department.

Ibay was alerted of the possible fraud when she received a letter from Marietta Cabusao, assistant vice president of LandBank of the Philippines Century Park Hotel branch, pertaining to “unusual payroll transactions” credited to the account of Ignacio.

The modus Ignacio allegedly used was to enlist athletes and coaches no longer under the PSC, and putting the former’s bank account in their stead. Ignacio is in charge of preparing the payroll register of the national athletes and coaches.

There were reports the alleged fraudulent act has been going on for five years now, and has resulted to loss of government money amounting to millions.

“Suffice it to say, that there were red-flags, which alerted us, and so we acted accordingly. We hope that we can get to the truth and bring the accountable to justice swiftly,” said Fernandez.