Graft charges filed vs Escudero over P352M alleged misuse of Sorsogon funds

Lawyer Eldridge Marvin Aceron filed graft, technical malversation, falsification of public documents, and fraud against public treasury charges against Senator Francis Escudero and several Sorsogon provincial officials concerning alleged misuse of provincial funds amounting to P352 million in 2021.

The complaint also includes administrative offenses of grave misconduct, gross neglect of duty, conduct prejudicial to the best interest of the service, and dishonesty.

Aside from Escudero, also named as respondents are Sorsogon provincial accountant Rena Garcia, provincial general services officer Rosalina Hainto, an unnamed provincial treasurer, members of the Bids and Awards Committee, and other accountable officers.

These allegations are based on the 2021 Commission on Audit (COA) Annual Audit Report for the Sorsogon provincial government.

Aceron is seeking the Office of the Ombudsman to investigate the alleged systematic financial irregularities, including infrastructure contracts awarded to only two contractors for numerous projects, unimplemented national government funds, falsified documents for janitorial and laundry contracts, defective disbursements for TUPAD programs, and improperly charged development projects.