THE Philippine Sports Commission sought the help of the National Bureau of Investigation in probing an alleged payroll scam involving one of the sports body’s employees.
In a two-page letter dated July 10, 2020, which was addressed to NBI officer-in-charge Eric Distor, PSC executive director Merlita Ibay identified Paul Michael Padua Ignacio of the agency’s Personnel Department as being involved in “unusual payroll transactions.”
Ms. Ibay was alerted by the Land Bank of the Philippines Century Park Hotel branch over the matter, prompting the PSC to take the necessary action.
According to the letter, questionable amounts of funds were transferred to the account of Mr. Ignacio, who is in charge of preparing the payroll register of national athletes and coaches.
He was allegedly including in the list even the names of athletes and coaches who are no longer qualified to receive their monthly allowances and channelling the allowance money to his account.
The modus was reportedly being done for the last five years and has cost the government millions of pesos.
In a statement on Tuesday, PSC officer-in-charge Ramon Fernandez said the agency would get to the bottom of the allegation and bring those accountable to justice.
“We have sought the help of the National Bureau of Investigation on the matter so we cannot comment further. Suffice it to say that there were red-flags which alerted us, and so we acted accordingly. We hope that we can get to the truth and bring the accountable to justice swiftly,” said Mr. Fernandez, who is currently holding the fort for the PSC with Chairman William Ramirez on leave.
“The PSC will never waver in its duty to protect the interest of its stakeholders and the Filipino people,” he added. — Michael Angelo S. Murillo
