OMBUDSMAN Conchita Carpio-Morales has ordered the filing of graft charges against former Sarangani Governor Miguel Escobar and several others for allegedly granting a fictitious request by a fishermen’s group for financial assistance.

Aside from Escobar, charged with violation of the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act were board member Juanito Purisima, executive assistant to the vice governor Amelia Carmela Zoleta, Accountant IV Suzette Clerigo, and management analyst Alexis dela Cruz, all of the provincial government of Sarangani.

Also included in the charge sheet was private respondent Velsie Banzon, treasurer of Malapatan Fishermen’s Group in Poblacion Malapatan.

Records showed the respondents conspired in the disbursement of a check amounting to P450,000 Banzon as payee in 2002.

The respondents allegedly made it appear that the financial assistance was requested and given to the fishermen’s group when in truth there was no request at all. 

Evidence pointed to Escobar as the one who approved the fictitious request and even certified “in the disbursement voucher that the cash advance was necessary, lawful and incurred under his direct supervision.”

Clerigo allegedly certified the “completeness and propriety of the supporting documents” despite a non-compliance with a Commission on Audit circular requiring documents in disbursements for financial assistance.

“When in truth and in fact, neither was there a request for financial assistance nor was there financial assistance received by the Malapatan Fishermen’s Group after the check was encashed as herein accused misappropriates and converted  to their personal benefit the said amount, thereby causing undue injury to the government,” the Ombudsman ruling said.