P852-M graft raps filed vs Agusan Sur officials

BAYUGAN CITY, Agusan del Sur — For allegedly failing to liquidate cash advances amounting to P852, 087, 991.20 during their past terms over the past decade, top officials in Agusan del Sur province face graft charges filed before the Ombudsman. Liberal Party district chairman Roberto Aquino wants Agusan del Sur Governor Adolph Edward Plaza, Agusan del Sur Representative Maria Valentina Galido Plaza, provincial budget officer Francisco D. Cejuela, former provincial treasurer Celsa S. Sanchez, and provincial accountants Niceto Ranario and Joy Lagat, among others, tried for graft charges. Adolph Plaza also served as governor from 2001 to 2007, while the lawmaker Plaza served as governor from 2007 to 2010. At a press conference last Friday in Butuan City, Caraga Region's capital, Aquino distributed copies of his complaint affidavit, as received by the Ombudsman last Oct. 3. GMA News Online tried to reach Agusan del Sur government officials named respondents but to no avail. COA reports Attached to Aquino’s complaint affidavit was the Commission on Audit 2010 annual report showing that the respondents allegedly failed to liquidate cash advances amounting to P199, 232,059.33, which have remained unsettled since December 31, 2010. COA-Caraga Regional Director Roy Ursal said he had written Gov. Plaza a letter last April 28 (for “immediate compliance") to liquidate the amount and, within one month, inform the COA of any actions taken by the provincial government. Ursal clarified that the annual audit made by his office were only in compliance with COA rules and regulations. In his complaint affidavit, Aquino alleged the Agusan del Sur provincial government had accumulated unliquidated cash advances amounting to millions of pesos in violation to Section 89 of Presidential Decree 1445 and COA Circular No. 97-002. Aquino claimed the violations were repeatedly committed from the 2003 to 2010 as evidenced by COA Annual Reports covering years 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009 and 2010. He also alleged that in 2003 the Agusan del Sur provincial government had accumulated cash advances not liquidated amounting to P28, 690, 029.01 – again in violation of the COA circular requiring government officials to liquidate cash advances within 60 days after completion of the official task. Citing the COA reports, he said the provincial government has not liquidated cash advances in the following amounts (and years): P52,670,389.70 (in 2005), P87,942,693.47 (in 2006), P94,129,372.02 (2007), P159,661,596.84 (2008), and P203,296,978.30 (2009). Anti-corruption campaign Aquino’s lawyer Jose Grapelon told GMA News Online that he hoped Ombudsman Conchita Carpio-Morales will take immediate cognizance of the complaint affidavit. “I understand Ombudsman Morales is serious in going after big fishes and has set a time frame for early resolution of all graft cases. This is good, it will help President [Benigno] Aquino’s anti-corruption campaign as the public is eager to see how serious really is the President in his Matuwid Na Daan campaign" Grapelon said. Also, Grapelon said he is waiting the Ombudsman will furnish him counter affidavit of the accused. Christopher Lindo, an executive assistant of both Gov. Plaza and Rep. Plaza, told GMA News Online he had no knowledge yet of the alleged complaint. — Ben Serrano /MRT/LBG, GMA News