Ex-Caloocan mayor files graft case vs Caloocan Rep. Malapitan

Former Caloocan Mayor Rey Malonzo filed graft charges against Caloocan Rep.  Oscar Malapitan with the Office of the Ombudsman over the latter's alleged illegal use of the Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF).

In his 25-page complaint, Malonzo claimed that Malapitan and five other respondents used the P29  billion PDAF from 2007 to 2009 “indiscriminately.”

This is in relation to the P8 million PDAF that was given to the group Caloocan Assistance Council Inc. (KACI).

“Funds through the use of PDAF are missing and have unjustly enriched these people at the expense of the poor, vulnerable, and disadvantaged people of  Caloocan City,” the complaint read.

The respondents faced charges for violating RA 3019 or the Anti-Graft And Corrupt Practices  Act and Malversation of Public Funds defined and penalized under Article 217 of the Revised Penal Code.

Among the respondents are former Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Secretary Esperanza Cabral, four other DSWD officials, and KACI head Cenon Mayor.

In June 2017, the respondents were charged with Malversation of Public Funds or Property and for Malversation of Public Funds Through Falsification of Public Documents under the  Revised Penal Code.

However, in 2017, the charges were dismissed as there was insufficient evidence against the respondents.

The complaint said documents from the Commission on Audit would prove that the same funds remain unliquidated even after more than a decade.

“It is noteworthy to mention that COA Special Audits Office Report  No.2012-034 on PDAF was not considered in the abovementioned Order of this Office,” the complaint read.

“Under the law naman pag may bagong ebidensya pwedeng buhayin ang anumang kaso,” Malonzo said in Mariz Umali’s 24 Oras report.

“Yung pagkakarekomenda ni Mr. Malapitan dun sa KACI na yan ay mali tapos may mga nagtestify pa na yung supposed to be naging beneficiary ng KACI sinabing hindi naman sila nakatanggap,” he added.

(Under the law, any case can be revived if there is new evidence, Mr. Malapitan’s recommendation to KACI is wrong since there are members of KACI who testified and said they did not receive the funds.)

Malapitan said he should not be blamed for not liquidating the funds when it is KACI’s responsibility.

“Eh kasi alam niyo elections is just around the corner eh mga tumatarget yan sa aming posisyon so what I can say it is all politically motivated. Malinis kami at kayang kaya namin depensahan yung mga alegasyong sinasabi niya,” Malapitan said.

(He is targeting our position because the elections are just around the corner so what I can say it is all politically motivated. We come in clean and we can defend ourselves from their allegations.)

“Walang pakinabang dahil maganda lang yung programa nila naconvince ako naglagay ako roon,” Malapitan said when asked if he benefited from the funds he gave to KACI.

(I gained nothing because I was just convinced to give the funds to KACI because they have a good program.)

Malapitan also said the DSWD will not accept this if they do not accredit the group.

He added that he has no personal relationship with anyone from KACI.

Meanwhile, Cabral said she will give comment on the matter once she receives a copy of the complaint.

GMA Integrated News is getting comments from the other respondent of the complaint.

— Mariel Celine Serquiña/DVM/RF, GMA Integrated News