7 CIW Officials Face Charges Over Trust Fund Anomaly

MANILA, Philippines — The Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) has ordered the filing of criminal and civil charges against two sacked superintendents and five personnel of the Correctional Institution for Women (CIW) for their alleged involvement in the trust fund anomaly. BuCor Director Gregorio Catapang Jr. approved the filing of criminal and civil charges against CIW superintendents Daisy Sevilla-Castillote and Marjorie Ann Sanidad, as well as corrections officers Bianca Flor Ramos, Maryrose Abucay, Madel Figuerres, Gloria Lakisa and Charlot Jennifer Carreon. Catapang likewise initiated administrative proceedings against the CIW officers. In a report dated Aug. 30, BuCor’s directorate for intelligence and investigation found that the officers handling the trust fund of inmates failed to account for P5,153,375. A parallel investigation by the BuCor internal audit service unit concluded on Aug. 25 that the funds unaccounted for reached P6.4 million. Catapang ordered a second review to reconcile the two findings. An inmate trust fund, under BuCor’s manual, keeps all money prisoners earn or receive from legitimate sources. Prisoners can withdraw the money for their immediate needs. According to BuCor, Castillote and Sanidad should be held liable for gross neglect of duty and grave misconduct. Castillote allegedly used part of the funds to renovate the multipurpose hall, overseer’s office and investigation and verification section unit. Sanidad, who came in before Castillote in an acting capacity, allegedly authorized the release of P300,000 to cover a remittance intended for inmates that had not been properly transmitted. Ramos, the trust fund officer, failed to explain where the money was spent. Her successor, Abucay, allegedly committed lapses during the turnover process. The BuCor said Figuerres, Lakisa and Carreon failed to document, monitor, reconcile, maintain and verify trust fund records. Information source: Philstar Nation