Ex-ambassador to face malversation raps at Sandiganbayan

The Office of the Ombudsman has ordered the filing of malversation charges against former Philippine Ambassador to Nigeria Masaranga Umpa for alleged misuse of thousands of dollars allotted for overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) abducted in the African nation four years ago. In a 24-page resolution, acting Ombudsman Orlando Casimio approved the filing of four counts of malversation against Umpa, who is being held liable for alegedly dubious transactions worth $95,856 (roughly P4.12 million). The criminal case will be filed with the anti-graft court Sandiganbayan. "In the instant case, it is very clear that the respondent (Umpa) had been very negligent in his duty of counter-checking the supporting documents for the cash advances for several transactions which he, himself, was involved in. He (Umpa) committed the acts of malversation through abandonment or negligence, by approving ‘for payment’ for the non-existing transactions," said the resolution. The Office of the Ombudsman made the announcement in a statement on Monday. As of posting time, GMA News Online was still trying to reach the camp of Umpa. In February 2007, the Department of Foreign Affairs released $174,000 (roughly P7.48 million) in Assistance to National (ATN) Standby funds for the safe release of 25 Filipino migrant workers abducted in Nigeria. But the DFA alleged that Umpa fabricated documents so that $95,856 will be paid to "non-existing or highly irregular transactions." In its complaint, the DFA said that spurious documents made it apepar that the Philippine government paid Wellington Hotel Limited in Nigeria to cover the cost of six hotel rooms and meals of 11 police escorts. The department also noted that there was a $1,565 (roughly P67,295) transaction that supposedly covered the breakfast and lunch expenses of the OFWs at the hotel. However, the DFA found this questionable because Nigerian hotel accountant Adeleke Osinuga attested that the documents to support the payment were forged because the hotel did not issue such documents. "Documents gathered further show that hotel bills were not stamped “paid" and charges were billed on the alleged date of departure; cash vouchers were not signed by the regular administrative officer; and the post exceeded its authority to engage the services of 11 escorts when only six escorts were allowed," said a statement from the Office of the Ombudsmsan. The DFA also alleged that the Philippine embassy in Nigeria did not rent any room at the Hotel Presidential for the accommodation of the police escorts. "But these expenses amounting to $20,944 were presented using bogus documents," said the Ombudsman. — RSJ, GMA News