Ex-mayor barred from holding gov’t post

MANILA, Philippines -  Joan Alarilla, former mayor of Meycauayan City in Bulacan, can no longer hold any public office.

In a decision recently signed by Ombudsman Conchita Carpio-Morales, Alarilla was found guilty of serious dishonesty and grave misconduct for misuse of public funds.

The court also ordered the dismissal from the service, cancellation of eligibility and forfeiture of retirement benefits of Alarilla. 

Since Alarilla is no longer the mayor, the penalty of dismissal is convertible to a fine equivalent to her salary for one year.

Graft probers said Alarilla issued 43 checks totaling P4,971,218.74 and converted the money for her personal use.

The court said Alarilla made it appear that the money was used to pay for the construction of artesian wells, rehabilitation of basketball courts, upgrading of perimeter fences and roads as well as the procurement of school chairs, 50 pieces of her photos, picture frames and t-shirts for meat butchers.    

The ombudsman said the contracts were awarded to LC San Pascual Construction Co. and VSP Trading and General Merchandise without public bidding.

It also cited a report of the Commission on Audit noting the absence of delivery receipts for the purchased items as well as  undated acceptance reports and certificates of inspections.

“Clearly, the elements of corruption are present in this case as she allowed the misappropriation of public funds through the falsification of the disbursement vouchers and their supporting documents,” the court ruling stated.