Ex-Sulu board member faces graft raps over cash advances

MANILA, Philippines - The Office of the Ombudsman has found probable cause to charge a former provincial board member of Sulu for not liquidating his cash advances on time.

Investigation showed that Musimar Alih availed himself of a cash advance from the Development Fund amounting to P100,000 from July 2007 to March 2008.

Public officers are required by law to settle their cash advances within two months, but Alih submitted the liquidation documents after one year, or on March 10, 2009.

Graft probers said Alih should be charged with failure to render accounts under Article 218 of the Revised Penal Code.