Over unpaid debts: Mandaue SKF prexy sued

CEBU, Philippines — A businessman has filed a criminal and administrative complaint before the Office of the Ombudsman Visayas against Mandaue City Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) Federation President and ex-officio Councilor Fleuritz Gayle Jumao-as over an alleged unpaid debt of ?1.35 million that she supposedly borrowed for youth-related activities in Barangay Paknaan.

In his 12-page complaint-affidavit dated August 17, 2026, complainant Wendell B. Basaca accused Jumao-as of conduct prejudicial to the best interest of the service, conduct unbecoming of a public official, dishonesty, grave abuse of authority and grave misconduct.

Basaca also asked the Ombudsman to investigate possible violations of Republic Act 6713, or the Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees, and Section 3(e) of Republic Act 3019, or the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act.

The complaint also named Renato Yosores Jr., whom Basaca identified as an events coordinator for the activities, for his alleged participation in the transactions.

In his complaint, Basaca, owner of LA Food Hauz & Catering Services, alleged that Jumao-as personally approached him in 2025 to borrow ?700,000 for the Silhig sa Paknaan 2025 event, saying the subsidy for the activity had not yet been released and funds were needed for preparations.

According to the complaint, Jumao-as introduced Yosores as the events coordinator and assured Basaca that the borrowed money would be repaid.

“Because the SK of Paknaan had been our valued client, I agreed to lend the amount with interest and Fleuritz expressly agreed,” Basaca said in his complaint.

On February 4, 2025, Yosores allegedly sent Basaca a breakdown of festival expenses through a Facebook Messenger group chat which Jumao-as allegedly vouched.

Basaca claimed that Jumao-as’ assurance prompted him to release the remaining ?272,000 of the ?700,000 loan. He alleged that Yosores insisted on receiving the amount in cash rather than through an online transfer.

The complaint also detailed subsequent requests for additional funds for The Outstanding Youth Award (TOYA), another activity scheduled for February 2025.

Basaca said Jumao-as again sought financial assistance on February 14, 2025, assuring him that the earlier ?700,000 would be repaid through the barangay once the funds were processed.

According to the complaint, Basaca subsequently transferred ?500,000 to Yosores through online banking in five transactions from February 17 to 21, 2025.

The transfers consisted of ?100,000 on February 17, ?50,000 on February 18, ?150,000 on February 19, and ?100,000 each on February 20 and 21.

Basaca alleged that he extended the additional loans based on Jumao-as’ assurances that the money would be repaid.

He said Jumao-as later provided updates on the supposed liquidation and release of the subsidy, including assurances in late February and early March 2025 that the amount was already being processed by the city’s accounting office.

However, Basaca claimed that no payment was made despite repeated follow-ups in June, July and August 2025 and again in November of that year.

Dispute over government funds

The dispute continued into 2026, with Basaca claiming that Jumao-as maintained that the subsidy for the Silhig Festival had already been downloaded to the barangay, while the subsidy for TOYA remained pending.

On May 6, 2026, Basaca said he personally went to the Paknaan Barangay Hall and handed Jumao-as a demand letter.

According to the complaint, Jumao-as said she had followed up with the Mandaue City Accounting Office regarding the release of subsidies supposedly intended to reimburse the borrowed money.

Basaca alleged, however, that Jumao-as later denied participating in the borrowing, claiming that Yosores had received the money and that she had not signed any document acknowledging receipt of the funds.

In a written reply dated June 10, 2026, Jumao-as allegedly acknowledged her involvement in the SK activities but denied participating in the borrowing, according to Basaca’s complaint.

The complainant further alleged that he was told the business documents of event suppliers had been used to process the release of government subsidies because his own business documents could not be used for that purpose.

Basaca said he sought clarification from the Mandaue City Accounting Office after the respondents allegedly failed to settle the amounts.

In a letter dated August 12, 2026, the accounting office reportedly informed him that a transaction identified as JEV-2025-05-000183, dated May 31, 2025, reflected the liquidation of a ?100,000 cash advance for the socio-cultural expenses of Barangay Paknaan in connection with the Silhig Festival.

Basaca claimed that the accounting record contradicted Jumao-as’ repeated assurances regarding the processing and release of the subsidy.

Alleged graft, misconduct

Basaca argued that Jumao-as, as an SK chairperson and federation president, should have ensured that public funds and activities were handled in accordance with government accounting and auditing rules.

He alleged that soliciting private loans for SK activities, relying on a private individual to receive and disburse money for official projects, and misrepresenting the status of government subsidies constituted grave misconduct and abuse of authority.

He also invoked Section 7(d) of Republic Act 6713, which prohibits public officials and employees from soliciting or accepting certain gifts, favors, loans or anything of monetary value in connection with their official duties.

In connection with the alleged financial injury, Basaca asked the Ombudsman to investigate possible violations of Section 3(e) of Republic Act 3019, which penalizes certain acts by public officers that cause undue injury or confer unwarranted benefits through manifest partiality, evident bad faith or gross inexcusable negligence.

He asked the Ombudsman to determine whether Jumao-as should face criminal and administrative liability and to include Yosores in the investigation over his alleged participation in the transactions.

The Freeman tried but failed to get Jumao-as’ comment on the complaint as of press time. — (FREEMAN)