Roxas City Mayor, Officials Face Suit Over PHP402M

By Gerome Dalipe IV

Roxas City Mayor Ronnie Dadivas and two other city officials are facing criminal and administrative charges over the alleged misuse of PHP402 million in public funds, based on findings by the Commission on Audit (COA).

Carmen Andrade, a Roxas City resident and accountant, filed complaints against Dadivas, City Treasurer Mimi Riano, and City Accountant Teresita Bidione for technical malversation, violations of the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act, and multiple administrative offenses, including dishonesty, gross misconduct, grave abuse of authority, and conduct prejudicial to the best interest of the service.

The charges stem from COA’s 2023 Annual Audit Report, which found irregularities in the city government’s handling of PHP402 million placed in High-Yield Savings Accounts (HYSA) and time deposits with the Development Bank of the Philippines (DBP) and Land Bank of the Philippines (LBP).

The audit revealed that these placements lacked authorization from the Sangguniang Panlungsod (SP), violating COA Circular No. 92-382 and the Local Government Code of 1991, which require SP approval for such transactions.

‘Improper Use of Funds’

Among the funds allegedly misused were PHP8 million from the Special Education Fund (SEF), meant exclusively for education-related expenses, and PHP25 million from Trust Funds (TF), designated for specific government projects and obligations.

COA emphasized that SEF and TF are not idle funds and should not have been diverted to time deposits.

The unauthorized placements allegedly deprived beneficiaries and government programs of critical resources.

Under the Revised Penal Code, technical malversation involves the illegal use of public funds for purposes other than those for which they were appropriated.

Offenders face imprisonment and fines if found guilty.

COA recommended the immediate termination of the time deposits and the reallocation of funds to priority projects.

In addition to criminal charges, the officials face administrative sanctions, including possible dismissal from service.

Andrade has also called for their preventive suspension to protect the integrity of the case and ensure that documents related to the transactions are preserved.

COA warned that unauthorized transactions undermine the budgeting process, reduce government spending efficiency, and hinder the implementation of development programs.

Mayor Dadivas and the implicated officials have yet to issue a statement regarding the allegations.