Ombudsman dismisses Dagupan treasurer over alleged P1M ‘ghost’ purchase

MANILA, Philippines — The Office of the Ombudsman on Wednesday said it had ordered the dismissal of a Dagupan City treasurer over the alleged “ghost” purchase of two wooden motorboats worth almost P1 million.

Romelita Fonseca Alcantara was also stripped of her retirement benefits, disqualified from holding public office, and had her civil service eligibility canceled.

The anti-graft body found her administratively liable for grave misconduct for causing the release of P999,750 in public funds as full payment for two motorboats that were never delivered to the city government.

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“Respondent, in the performance of her official functions as City Treasurer, caused the irregular release of P999,750.00 … resulting in the misappropriation of said amount since the motorboats for which the payment was made were not delivered,” the decision read.

The complaint alleged that the signatures of Bernard Cabison and Melchor Guiang on the property acknowledgment receipt and inspection and acceptance report were forged.

Cabison, head of the city’s waste management division, and Guiang, the city’s general services officer, were also the complainants in the case.

According to the complainants, the supplier received full payment despite failing to deliver the boats.

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The Ombudsman’s Field Investigation Bureau recommended the filing of charges over the alleged falsified documents used to facilitate the release of public funds.

Investigators emphasized that, as city treasurer, Alcantara was responsible for safeguarding government funds and ensuring that disbursements complied with the law. /mcm