Mandaue Official Indicted for Graft, Malversation

Ombudsman Conchita Carpio Morales affirmed the filing of criminal Informations against former Mandaue City Administrator Serafin Blanco for Malversation and violation of Section 3(e) of Republic Act No. 3019 (Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act) for failing to fully liquidate cash advances incurred during the city’s 2001 Christmas party program despite demand from the Commission on Audit, Office of the City Accountant of Mandaue and the Office of the Ombudsman in Visayas.

The four-page Order denying Blanco’s Motion for Reconsideration pointed out that “from 2007 when Blanco last attempted to liquidate his outstanding cash advance, to 2012 when the complaint was filed and up to the present time, the amount of P189,600.00 remains unsettled.”

In affirming the finding of probable cause, Ombudsman Morales stated that “it will not be amiss to conclude that this Office’s resolution to indict was justified and that no grave errors of facts or laws or serious irregularities were committed prejudicial to the interest of Blanco.”

Source: www.ombudsman.gov.ph