The Municipal Vice Mayor of Zarraga, Iloilo is facing criminal charges for allegedly falsifying documents to claim travel expenses for a conference she never attended, according to documents filed with the Provincial Prosecutor’s Office.
Vice Mayor Remia M. Sularan has been accused of malversating public funds amounting to PHP 16,523.00 through falsification of public documents.
The case has been filed under Article 217 in relation to Article 171 and 48 of the Revised Penal Code, covering malversation of public funds through falsification of public documents.
The complaint was lodged by Joel A. Sularan, a job hire employee of the Municipality of Zarraga, through his counsel Atty. Theodore P. Banderado on January 3, 2025.
According to the complaint, Sularan submitted liquidation reports claiming she attended the 1st Luzon Wide Cooperative Development Officers Conference at Venus Parkview Hotel in Baguio City from September 17-20, 2024.
She allegedly received PHP 6,143.00 for plane tickets on September 3 and an additional PHP 10,380.00 for traveling expenses on September 5.
However, official records show that Sularan was physically present in Zarraga, Iloilo on September 18, 2024, where she presided over a Regular Session of the Sangguniang Bayan.
The evidence presented to support the accusation includes several key pieces of documentation. These are Obligation Requests for cash advances related to travel expenses for the conference. Additionally, Liquidation Reports with falsified supporting documents, such as airplane tickets, boarding passes, certificates of appearance, travel orders, and itineraries of travel, were submitted.
The Minutes of the Regular Session of the Sangguniang Bayan of Zarraga on September 18, 2024, are also included, showing that Sularan was present as the Presiding Officer.
Municipal documents, including ordinances and resolutions discussed during the session, bear her signature as the presiding officer.
“She cannot be at two places at the same time,” the complainant stated in his judicial affidavit, noting that Sularan submitted various documents including airplane tickets, boarding passes, and a certificate of appearance to support her travel claims.
Daily Guardian is still trying to reach Sularan for comment.
