Manila: Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) Director General Gregorio Pio Catapang Jr. has ordered the filing of criminal, administrative, and civil cases against two former superintendents of the Correctional Institution for Women (CIW) and five other personnel. This action comes in response to alleged irregularities in the handling of funds designated for persons deprived of liberty (PDLs).
According to Philippines News Agency, the directive was issued following an investigation by the Directorate for Intelligence and Investigation (DII) into the missing funds. Catapang approved the recommendation to initiate administrative proceedings before the BuCor Office of Internal Affairs Service against C/SSupt. Daisy Sevilla-Castillote, CT/SSupt. Marjorie Ann Sanidad, CO2 Bianca Flor C. Ramos, CO1 Maryrose Abucay, CO1 Madel Figuerres, CO1 Gloria Lakisa, and CO1 Charlot Jennifer Carreon.
A report dated August 30 by the DII revealed that Ramos, the CIW Trust Fund Officer, could not account for PHP5.15 million in the PDL Trust Fund. A separate audit by the BuCor Internal Audit Service Unit on August 25, 2026, found an unaccounted amount of PHP6.4 million, though this figure did not consider the more than PHP1.2 million yet to be collected or listed as receivables. Catapang has called for a second review to reconcile these discrepancies.
Castillote will face administrative proceedings for gross neglect of duty and grave misconduct during her time as CIW superintendent. The investigation found she failed to supervise and manage the PDL Trust Fund diligently and did not adhere to the BuCor PDL Trust Fund Policy. This policy is the primary guideline for managing, monitoring, and supervising the fund.
The investigation further alleged that Castillote authorized the use of PDL Trust Fund money for renovations and improvements to several CIW facilities, actions that violated restrictions on the fund's use and administration. Sanidad, the acting CIW superintendent prior to Castillote's appointment, was also cited for authorizing a PHP300,000 advance from the Trust Fund. This advance was intended for an LBC remittance for PDLs but reportedly was not properly transmitted, contradicting existing policies.
Abucay, the incoming CIW Trust Fund Officer, was cited for deficiencies in the turnover of duties, including the absence of formal turnover documentation and lack of independent witnesses. There were also failures in documenting and verifying funds discovered after the turnover. The investigation identified further deficiencies by Figuerres, Lakisa, and Carreon in their roles as Trust Fund staff, noting lapses in recording, documentation, and monitoring of Trust Fund transactions.
BuCor stated that these collective shortcomings among the personnel weakened the accuracy, reliability, and accountability of PDL Trust Fund documentation.
