A COMPLAINT alleging corruption and administrative offenses has been filed at the Office of the Ombudsman against Mangatarem, Pangasinan Mayor Ramil Ventenilla, Vice Mayor Michael Mon Punzal, and municipal accountant Kenaz Bautista.
Complainant Ricardo Luciano Jr., a resident of the municipality, sought the investigation and indictment of the respondents for alleged violation of Article 217 of the Revised Penal Code (RPC) on malversation of public funds, Article 220 of the RPC for technical malversation, the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act (RA 3019) and the Government Procurement Reform Act (RA 9184).
In addition, he also charged them with administrative offenses for gross misconduct and dishonesty, neglect of duty, and conduct prejudicial to the best Interest of the service.
Luciano said his complaint was based on the findings of state auditors contained in the Annual Audit Reports (AARs) on the municipal government for the years 2020 to 2023.
As part of documentary evidence, he attached authenticated copies of the AARs to his complaint.
“Based on the above-mentioned documents, there are undeposited public funds, shortage and overstatement of public projects and funds among officials,” he alleged.
In particular, he highlighted the unsettled disallowances and suspensions for the audited years starting with P2.84 million in 2020 which ballooned to P5.12 million in 2021 and remained the same up to 2023.
Likewise, he asked graft investigators to review transactions of the local government relative to the “Due from Officers and Employees” account after the discovery of cash shortages amounting to P17.34 million of the late municipal treasurer who passed away in May 2023.
The complainant said it is unlikely that the said cash shortages are attributable to the late municipal treasurer alone.
“(This) creates doubt as to why a single officer has been attributed this large amount of cash shortages. It is implausible that such a large-scale financial mismanagement could occur without the knowledge or tacit approval of the mayor, vice mayor, and municipal accountant,” he said.
