MANILA — The Office of the Ombudsman has ordered the preventive suspension without pay of Barangay Quirino 3B (Claro) Chairperson Ronald Noga Tagle and Treasurer Richelle Ann Formanes Santillan for up to six months over alleged financial irregularities, including disbursements for non-existent projects.

In a five-page order, the Ombudsman said the evidence of guilt against the two officials was strong, the administrative charges could warrant their removal from government service, and their continued stay in office could prejudice the proceedings.

“Tagle, in conspiracy with Santillan, withdrew the savings of Barangay Quirino 3B (Claro) from 2018 to 2023 for non-existent or ghost projects,” the order read.

The case stemmed from a complaint filed by the Ombudsman’s Field Investigation Office following Commission on Audit (COA) findings on questionable transactions and unsupported disbursements involving barangay funds.

According to the order, the COA Quezon City Field Office audited the barangay’s finances from 2017 to 2023 and issued several Audit Observation Memoranda and Notices of Disallowance covering transactions from 2017 to 2020.

The audit identified deficiencies such as missing supporting documents and irregularities in the utilization, documentation, and processing of public funds.

The Ombudsman cited procurement transactions worth P1,412,714.10 in 2017 and 2018 that lacked complete documentation.

It also flagged undocumented disbursements amounting to P15,938,064.37 in 2020, P23,999,924.57 in 2021, P17,640,624.39 in 2022, and P17,881,634.43 in 2023.

The order further stated that Tagle and Santillan authorized the release of P22,713,363.12 in public funds without the required disbursement vouchers, resulting in notices of disallowance.

After an appeal, P431,813.14 of the disallowed amount was lifted, leaving P22,281,549.98 unsettled.

The Ombudsman also cited the officials’ alleged failure to submit accounting records despite repeated directives from COA and adverse audit findings.

“Respondents’ administrative violation appears to be supported by evidence. The evidence on record shows that the guilt of respondents is strong, the charges against them involve Grave Misconduct, and Gross Neglect of Duty,” the order stated.

The Quezon City mayor was directed to immediately implement the preventive suspension and inform the Ombudsman of the action taken within three days of receiving the order.