Ex-LWUA exec faces raps for cash advances

MANILA, Philippines - The Office of the Ombudsman has ordered the filing of a criminal case against a former official of the Local Water Utilities Administration (LWUA) for unliquidated cash advances five years ago.

Former LWUA administrator Daniel Landingin will be charged with alleged violation of Article 218 of the Revised Penal Code, graft investigators said.

The case stemmed from Landingin’s failure to account for cash advances totaling P57,698.94 covering his travel expenses to Singapore in March 2011.

Investigation conducted by the ombudsman showed that Landingin accounted for the pre-travel expense worth P1,500. But the amount of P57,698.94 remained unliquidated 60 days after his return to the Philippines in violation of Commission on Audit (COA) Circular 97-002.

The COA said cash advances for travel should be liquidated by public officials within 60 days upon return to the country.