33 ex-LWUA execs face 300 graft, malversation raps

MANILA, Philippines - The Office of the Ombudsman yesterday ordered 33 former officials of the Local Water Utilities Administration

( LWUA) charged with as many as 300 cases for allegedly excessive reimbursements in 2006 reaching P12.9 million.

Ombudsman Conchita Carpio-Morales said former administrator Lorenzo Jamora, the highest-ranking among those to be indicted before the Sandiganbayan, will face 150 counts each for graft and malversation of public funds through falsification of public documents – a total of 300 counts. 

This means that if he posts bail, he may have to pay a total of P10.5 million for all the cases. Bail is usually set at P30,000 for graft and P40,000 for malversation.

He and his fellow respondents are accused of claiming from P230,000 to P986,356 per executive without supporting documents and exceeding the approved budget ceiling set by the Department of Budget and Management, based on Commission on Audit findings.

Among Jamora’s co-accused are Aurora Raymundo-Arnaez (15 counts each for malversation and graft), Leonard Matti (15), Francisco Dumpit (seven), Eduardo Bangayan (11), Daniel Landingin (101), Emmanuel Malicdem (74), Lilian Asprer (54), Wilfredo Feleo (41), Jesus Copuyoc (12), Edelwina Parungao (11), Manalo Kagahastian (12), Manuel Yoingco (13), Alfredo Espino (12), Rebecca Barbo (11), Armando Fernandez (12), Edwin Ruiz (12), Bernardito de Jesus (13), Antonio Magtibay (13), Enrique Gita (12), Avelino Castillo (20), Lourdes Perele (43), Mario Quitoriano (10), Eleanora de Jesus (63), Hermilo Balucan (nine), Edison Cuenca (one), Venus Pozon (14), Julian Tajolosa (13), Primo Lomibao (230), Arnaldo Espinas (12), Almer Zerrudo (12), Leopoldo Palad (263) and Julita Corpuz (36). 

Morales said the respondents attested that the funds were spent on “meetings, seminars and conferences, official entertainment, and public relations.”