Administrative and criminal charges have been filed before the Office of the Ombudsman (OMB) against Marikina City Mayor Marcelino "Marcy" Teodoro, his wife Marikina 1st District Rep. Marjorie Ann "Maan" A. Teodoro, and four others for alleged irregularities in the procurement of office and school supplies.
The complaint was filed by businessman Rico G. Mariano who asked the OMB to charge them with violations of Sections 3(e) and (h) of Republic Act No. 3019, the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act, and Article 217 of the Revised Penal Code on malversation of public funds.
Mariano also asked the OMB to hold them administratively liable for grave misconduct and conduct prejudicial to the best interest of the service.
Also charged were former Barangay (village) Sta. Elena kagawad Marie Joy G. San Juan, accountant II Erlinda G. Gonzales, and former acting city treasurers Miguel R. Rebanal and Florenia M. Gamad.
Those named respondents in the complaint could not be contacted for comments as of posting time. It was not known immediately if the OMB has acted on the complaint.
In his complaint, Mariano told the OMB that he started transacting with the local government unit (LGU) of Marikina by providing office and school supplies to the office of the late vice mayor Dr. Jose Cadiz.
He alleged that in 2017, he was approached by San Juan, whom he claimed is the "bagman" of Teodoro, to become an exclusive supplier for Teodoro's camp.
But he said that if he would accept the offer, he would no longer be allowed to supply to Cadiz camp.
He said he accepted the offer and used his sole proprietorship firm, Masie, in the transactions.
However, Mariano alleged that his business was merely used as a "front" by San Juan and all those involved.
"I was used by respondents Joy (San Juan) and Marcy (Teodoro) as a mere conduit for them to siphon funds out of the coffers of LGU Marikina and deliver these funds directly into their hands," he further alleged in his complaint.
He also alleged: "I would receive all information and documents, and I was merely to follow her direction and comply for the procurement process to proceed. I was made to sign documents in order for the procurement process to proceed, and was made to collect the checks intended for my company Masie, deposit these checks and remit the proceeds to respondent Joy (and, ultimately, to respondent Maan)."
"Respondents Joy and Marcy would then make it seem as though I had delivered the materials ordered by LGU Marikina. After this supposed delivery, I would receive a notification from Joy indicating that a disbursement voucher and check issued by LGU Marikina, representing payment for the alleged ordered materials, are ready for me to collect," Mariano also said.
He added that after collecting the checks, he alleged that he would then funnel the funds to the city officials.
He recalled that he was reportedly instructed to issue manager's checks worth P9.58 million in favor of Teodoro's wife, who at that time held no government position.
"Their pecuniary interest is bolstered by the fact that it was respondent Maan who received the manager's checks issued by the LGU Marikina; while respondent Marcy, as the husband, would necessarily benefit the same; and respondent Joy as the one who received the cash I remitted to her," he also alleged in his complaint.
"Their pecuniary interests moved them to orchestrate and execute their nefarious scheme in the guise of a legitimate and lawful process," Mariano added.