The Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) on Monday formally filed plunder complaints against suspended BuCor Director General Gerald Bantag and 7 other officials.
BuCor officer-in-charge Gregorio Catapang, the complainant, filed the complaints before the Department of Justice (DOJ) in Manila.
In an interview with the media, he said the plunder charges are in relation to the alleged three unfinished penal facilities in Davao, Palawan, and Leyte.
"Worth Php 600,000 lang 'yung natapos pero nag-claim sila ng almost Php 900 million," Catapang said.
He said the construction of the penal facilities is worth Php 273,046,177.
Bantag is facing 11 counts of violations of malversation thru falsification of official documents, the anti-graft and corrupt practices act, and the code of conduct and ethical standards for public officers and employees.
He is also facing an administrative case for grave misconduct, dishonesty, and conduct prejudicial to the interest of the service.
The seven BuCor personnel who are also facing the same charges are as follows:
- BuCor Inspector (CINSP) Ric Ocacurba
- BuCor Inspector (CO1) Solomon Areniego
- BuCor Technical Officer CTO1 Jor-el De Jesus
- BuCor Technical officer 2 (CTO2) Angelo Castillo
- BuCor CTO2 Alexis Catindig
- BuCor Chief Superintendent (CTCSUPT) Arnold Jacinto Guzman
The suspended BuCor is now facing multiple charges.
In December 2022, authorities filed murder raps against Bantag for the death of radio broadcaster Percival 'Percy Lapid' Mabasa and alleged middleman Cristito ‘Jun’ Villamor.
On January 14, BuCor filed criminal charges against Bantag for allegedly stabbing two Bilibid gang inmates.
In the same month, the justice department prevently suspended him for another 90 days and charged him with administrative charges for violating BuCor's Operating Manual.
