LANAO SUR MAYORS FILE PLUNDER CASE VS. LASURECO, NEA, COA OFFICIALS

By Frank E. Dosdos, Jr.

Editor

Twenty-two Mayors of Lanao del Sur trooped to the Office of the Ombudsman in Quezon City today and file a Plunder case against the General Manager of Lanao del Sur Electric Cooperative (LASURECO), Administrator of the National Electrification Administration (NEA) and an Auditor of the Commission on Audit.

Counsel for the Complainant Atty.Bonie Balt identified the accused as LASURECO General Manager Ashary Maongco, NEA Administrator Edita S. Bueno and Supervising Auditor Digno Tumbokon.

Balt said the case arose from the questionable disbursements P190Million Barangay Electrification Project intended for the province, P25 Million Pantawid Kuryente and P630 Million collected for power bills from consumers in 2007-2012 which were allegedly not remitted to PSALM and NGCP.

He further said that as of January 14, 2014, the debt of LASURECO to PSALM stands at P6.2 Billion.

The Mayors are complaining that their electricity was disconnected since May 2013 and has not been restored until now.

Finally, he said that the Complainants filed this criminal case as taxpayers and consumers of LASURECO.

He informed that last Jue 16,2014, the Regional Trial Court in Marawi issued in Injunction in SP 2200-14 directing LASURECO to reconnect the electricity of the concerned 22 local goverment units.

In the graft case that the Complainants filed today, they alleged that they were not given the chance to elect their Board of Directors for more than 15 years because the Bueno continues to appoint cooperative officials.

As of press time Ranao Star is trying to reach Maongco for his reaction these developments.

It can be recalled that months ago, Maongco told newsmen that he was appointed to his position to save LASURECO from bankruptcy.

He then said that he ordered the disconnection of electricity to consumers who have not settled their outstanding debts to LASURECO for a long time.