Tuburan ex-mayor files raps vs town secretary

CEBU, Philippines - Former Tuburan mayor Constancio Suezo III filed administrative complaints against municipal secretary Agnes Hoyohoy before the Office of the Ombudsman-Visayas, accusing her of falsifying public documents.

In his complaint, Suezo alleged that Hoyohoy’s act constituted “dishonesty, grave misconduct and conduct unbecoming” of a public official.

“The falsified disbursement voucher dated April 23, 2010, pertains to a transaction with Perfect Star PC Shoppe. And, based on this falsified voucher, the act of falsification committed by Hoyohoy is more apparent because the signature purporting to be mine is clearly machine-generated, i.e., scanned from an original signature and printed over the voucher,” the complaint reads.

Aside from the administrative case, Suezo likewise filed criminal case for three counts of falsification of public documents which was raffled off to Regional Trial Court Branch 29, Toledo City.

The Prosecutor’s Office found sufficient evidence to elevate the criminal case before the trial court.

Hoyohoy allegedly falsified disbursement vouchers and other supporting documents relative to the purchase of computer supplies for the municipality in 2010.

And it was not just on April 23, 2010, Sueza alleged, as the respondent likewise falsified the disbursement voucher dated February 16, 2010 relating to a transaction with SECC Computer Services Enterprises.

His signature also appeared in a document labeled as Awards of Bid when in truth, Suezo said, he did not sign this.

“Even if these documents will be examined by an ordinary person and not an expert, it can be discovered that the signatures appearing therein and purporting to be my signature are exactly the same and appears to be re-manufactured,” the complaint reads.

Suezo said he is certain that it was the respondent who did the falsification because it was she who prepared the said documents and handed to his officer for approval. She also acted as the procurement officer of the transaction for the purchase of computer supply.

He sought the assistance of the Philippine National Police and forensic examination revealed that the signatures were forged.

The administrative case was filed on March 5, 2013. —/JPM (FREEMAN)