A former governor of Surigao del Norte has been charged with plunder, graft, and malversation by the Ombudsman's office for allegedly misusing disaster funding.
Francisco Matugas, who was the province's governor from 2019 to 2022, was charged with misusing P60 million in disaster relief funds to purchase children's books last year.
According to Oscar Pospia, the chief of staff of incumbent Gov. Lyndon Barbers, Matugas and other former provincial officials allegedly misappropriated cash intended for victims of Super Typhoon Odette, which devastated many districts in Mindanao in 2021.
Aside from Matugas, the complaint named the following provincial officials: Ma. Nelia Lomocso, Myrla Padyhag, Ma. Teresa Real, Maricris Sulapas, Juliet Dumaguit-Go, Harem Taruc, Dominico Larong, Jr., Joselito Manongas, Felisa Cordova, Lucila Inot, and Azuena Simbol are among those who have appeared in the film.
Furthermore, Pospia said that this case arose as a result of Super Typhoon Odette, which devastated the area, explaining that they discovered that the provincial government had more than P50 million available to repair the province, although Surigao neighbors were battling with food shortages and wrecked homes,
However, instead of repairing government infrastructure or delivering relief materials, the funds were utilized to purchase children's books, which were unnecessary at the time due to the lack of face-to-face classes.
"Joy Joy the Jolly Boy," "Mimi and the Mouse," and other similar novels for school children, according to Pospia, were among the titles Matugas acquired.
The plaintiff also stated that the alleged fund diversions occurred in March 2022, less than two months before the May 9, 2022 elections.
Pospia further stated that, despite his position as Barbers' chief of staff, he submitted the complaint on his own behalf and on behalf of his fellow Surigaonons.
Meanwhile, Barbers won the 2022 election over Matugas.
