Public Employment Service Office (PESO) acting manager John Hiroshi Umeda Jr. on Tuesday, December 23, filed criminal and administrative complaints before the Office of the Ombudsman accusing several former Manila city officials of plunder, malversation, graft, falsification, and other offenses over the alleged misuse of more than ₱319 million in public funds.
The complaint names former Secretary to the Mayor Marlon Lacson, former PESO manager Fernan Bermejo, former Department of Public Services head Jonathan Garzo, former Liga ng mga Barangay president Leilani Lacuna, PESO staffer Angelika Thea Marie Filamor, and Michael Nicole Roldan, who was cited as allegedly handling the physical transport of cash.
Umeda filed the charges under the administration of Manila City Mayor Isko Moreno, who assumed office on June 30, 2025 and ordered a review of PESO records following reports of missing documents and irregular disbursements.
According to the complaint, the alleged offenses stem from the implementation of the KASAMA (Kalinga sa Manileño) Program, a pandemic-era employment initiative that continued beyond COVID-19 and involved large-scale cash advances for payroll.
The filing alleges that vouchers and checks amounting to at least ₱319,369,170 were issued in the names of certain officials, encashed centrally, and distributed outside standard payroll safeguards.
Umeda further alleged that some beneficiaries were underpaid or not paid at all, while their names were allegedly used to support liquidation through accomplishment reports and daily time records.
The complaint also cited alleged falsification of payroll documents and liquidation reports to justify fund releases, as well as unauthorized deductions from wages intended for program beneficiaries.
Umeda attached sworn affidavits from beneficiaries, former program staff, and an insider witness, along with payroll vouchers, cash-advance checks, and a recovered electronic master list used to validate beneficiary identities.
The respondents were accused of having direct roles in requesting, receiving, handling, supervising, or transporting public funds during the previous administration of former Manila City Mayor Honey Lacuna.
Umeda said the complaint seeks to hold those involved accountable for the alleged misuse of public funds and to establish criminal and administrative liability based on the evidence submitted.
The Situation Report will publish the responses of the accused once their statements are made available.
